President Bush Visits
Yuma Border
A1C
Miko Holloran
Arizona National Guard Public Affairs
May 19,
2006
YUMA
- President George W. Bush visited the Mexican border in Yuma, Ariz., on
Thursday, to "see first hand on where progress is being made and where it
isn't," he said.
Making him the first
president to ever make an official visit to the border town, Bush gave a
25-minute speech at the United States Border Patrol Headquarters. During
this speech, he restated his solution for the illegal immigration issue from
his prime-time Monday night speech.
"Illegal immigration
is a serious problem. It’s my job to fix the problem, not pass it on," he
said.
The president then
spoke of his plan for his temporary worker program which includes
temper-proof biometric identification cards to be used as work visas,
updating employment documentation so that employers must be accountable for
every worker they hire and granting a way to citizenship for illegal
immigrants who have lived in the United States for years without a criminal
record.
“There are many
people on the other side of the border who will do anything to come and
work, and that includes risking their life to come across your desert,” he
said.
“During my
presidency, funding for border security has increased by 66 percent. The
number of agents has increased by 20 percent,” Bush said.
The president then
spoke of the new fencing, lighting, and cameras he saw on the border earlier
that day, making it the “most technologically advanced border in the
world”.
“We will continue to
be wise with technological equipment. This will take time, but the need to
enforce the border is urgent. But it’s showing immediate results,” he said.
Bush also invited
members of Congress to visit the border.
He then spoke of the
National Guard’s role in his new plan to enforce the border.
“The National Guard
is going to support the Border Patrol, but the Border Patrol will be in the
lead,” he said.
The Border Patrol
will be involved with direct law enforcement, he said.
“The initial
commitment for the National Guard is for a year,” he said.
The president also
added that there are already 400 National Guard soldiers and airmen
assisting the Border Patrol already, so the call for troops is “nothing
new”.
President Bush
recognized the Pennsylvania and Ohio National Guard for helping to install
new technology at the border.
The president
declared his plan to used federal funding to reimburse local law enforcement
agencies that enforce the immigration law. He also spoke of his plan to
give state local authorities specialized training.
He sympathized with
the Border Patrol about the “catch-and-release” tactic that is currently in
place.
“I can’t think of
anything more discouraging,” he said.
He then began to
speak more on his guest-worker program. Not only would this guest-worker
program reduce the number of people sneaking into the country, but it would
also cure problems such as the document-forging industry and the appeal of
human trafficking.
“Coyotes – that’s a
familiar word in this part of the country,” said Bush, describing smugglers
who are hired to move illegal immigrants into the country, “they degrade the
human soul.”
Bush made it clear to
not grant amnesty to illegal aliens already residing in the country.
“I don’t believe in
automatic citizenship. It undermines the rule of law. I believe there is a
rational middle ground between automatic citizenship and mass deportation,”
he said.
Those who have “roots
in the country”, pay a meaningful fine and taxes, learn English and prove
that they have kept a job in the country will be placed at the end of the
line for citizenship, as not to cut off those who have already worked toward
their citizenship, Bush said.
“It’s a rational way
to respect their dignity and at the same time, honor the melting pot that
this country is,” he added.
“I’m asking Congress
for a comprehensive immigration bill; a comprehensive approach to illegal
immigration,” Bush said.
“We are a land of
immigrants that has always been a haven for better opportunity,” he said.
President
Bush speaks at the Yuma Border Station Headquarters. (Photo by A1C
Miko Holloran.)
President
Bush speaks at the Yuma Border Station Headquarters. (Photo by A1C Miko
Holloran.)
President
Bush is introduced by Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar in Yuma, Arizona
before his speech on May 18, 2006. (Photo by MSgt Jimmie Beard.)
President
Bush is introduced by Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar. (Photo by
MSgt Jimmie Beard.)
The
Commander in Chief and COL Cobb, Arizona National Guard. (Photo by
MSgt Jimmie Beard.)
President
Bush greets military personnel....Hoooah!!