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Skriven 2007-05-17 23:31:00 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0705171) for Thu, 2007 May 17
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President's Statement on Bipartisan Immigration System Proposal
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For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary May 17, 2007

President's Statement on Bipartisan Immigration System Proposal

˙˙White House News

˙˙˙˙˙ President Bush Discusses Comprehensive Immigration Bill ˙˙˙˙˙ In
Focus: Immigration

Today, Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate came together
and agreed upon a proposal that offers a much needed solution to the the
problem of illegal immigration in this country. This proposal delivers an
immigration system that is secure, productive, orderly and fair. I applaud
the Senators who worked in the spirit of bipartisanship over the past
months to address this issue, which is critically important to the American
people.

Our immigration system is badly in need of reform. The bipartisan solution
the senators agreed to today requires us to meet important goals in
addressing border security and enhancing interior and worksite enforcement.
Once those goals are met, the plan would create a temporary worker program
to address the needs of our growing economy and take pressure off the
border by allowing workers to come to this country for a short period of
time and fill jobs Americans are not doing. For immigrants wishing to come
to our country permanently in the future, it would also establish a new
merit-based system, which takes into account job skills, education, English
proficiency and family ties.

The plan would bring undocumented workers already in this country out of
the shadows without amnesty and without animosity. It would require workers
to pay a meaningful penalty, learn English, pay their taxes, and pass a
background check before they can be considered for legalized status. If
they achieve this legalized status and decide they want to apply for a
green card, they must return home to file an application in order to get in
line behind all of those who have played by the rules and followed the law.

Finally, our country has been a melting pot for over 200 years and that has
given us much strength. We must continue to help immigrants assimilate into
our society. This proposal would further that effort by affirming that
English is the language of the United States and would help immigrants
learn our language by directing the Department of Education to make English
instruction freely available over the Internet.

Convictions run deep on the matter of immigration, but with this bipartisan
agreement I am confident leaders in Washington can have a serious, civil
and conclusive debate so I can sign comprehensive reform into law this
year. I urge all members to support this bipartisan immigration reform
proposal.

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