Gutierrez Says, "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Will Make Our Country Stronger" LOUISVILLE, Ky.—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today discussed the Bush administration's proposals for comprehensive immigration reform and the critical role of immigration in the American economy in remarks delivered to members of the Southern Legislative Conference.
Gutierrez highlighted the Administration's commitment to enacting comprehensive immigration reform that secures our border, enhances interior enforcement, creates a temporary worker program that rejects amnesty, and helps employers determine the legal status of the employees they hire.
Gutierrez stressed that comprehensive immigration reform is a key to our future economic health as we compete in a global economy. T he creation of a temporary worker program would match willing workers with willing employers to perform jobs that Americans won't do. This creates a legal avenue to meet the needs of the U.S. economy and relieves the pressure of illegal immigration on the border.
The Administration is working closely with Congress on comprehensive immigration reform to address these problems with real, long-term solutions.
Gutierrez and his family came to America from Cuba when he was six years old, and he became a naturalized citizen in 1966. He has recently visited numerous cities across America to hear from citizens and businesses about their thoughts on immigration and tell them about the Bush administration's proposals.
Excerpts from Secretary Gutierrez's speech to the Southern Legislative Conference: "I believe immigration is the domestic social issue of our time -- and a key to our future economic health." "We are competing in a global economy. We have an incredible advantage. We can stand out from the pack by using our well-honed skills from 230 years of assimilating immigrants." "We must deal with immigration as it is, not as we wish it were. We must work through the issues thoughtfully, and avoid letting emotion take over the debate." "[President Bush's vision for comprehensive immigration reform]... recognizes the needs of a growing economy. Our economy is growing faster than any other large, industrialized nation. The reality is that we have jobs that American citizens either aren't willing to do or aren't available to do. Our unemployment rate is below the average of the past four decades. I continually hear from businesses that they are having difficulty finding workers. We need sources of labor from other countries to fill jobs that aren't getting filled." "We need effective interior enforcement. That may be the best way to secure our borders. Our system needs to be fixed." "The rules must be clear enough to hold businesses accountable for hiring people with the proper documentation. With comprehensive reform, we will ensure that businesses have the tools they need to do this, and that we can hold them accountable." "When we have a biometric system--and we have a temporary worker's program--dynamics will change. Over time, it will become unlikely that people will risk their lives coming across the border illegally if it is well-known that unless you have the temporary worker's permit, you will not find a job. This is one of the most consequential things we can do to make our borders more secure. And it demonstrates the wisdom of comprehensive immigration reform." "The President does not support amnesty, and it's not accurate or fair to call his solution amnesty. We're talking about having a hard-earned path to legalization…." "The President also understands that illegal immigration puts pressure on public schools and hospitals. It strains state and local budgets. These are real problems. The Administration is working closely with Congress on comprehensive immigration reform to address these problems with real, long-term solutions." "…we are a nation of immigrants. And immigrants have helped make this country great. All of us here today--unless you are Native American--are immigrants or descendents of immigrants." "I came to this country in 1960 from Cuba. I was a six-year-old immigrant. On January 4, 1966, I formally became a U.S. citizen. To this day, my U.S. passport is my most valued material possession. I'm extremely grateful that people encouraged--even pushed me--to learn the language and assimilate. I'm also very thankful for the opportunities this country has given me. I believe that immigrants today just want an opportunity." “It is a false choice to think the immigration debate is a battle between America being a welcoming society and being a nation of laws. We can be both because we are both. Comprehensive immigration reform will make our country stronger, and I'm convinced that future generations will be proud of what we did."
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
