Decision Points, by Pres. George W. Bush: on Immigration

Chuck Hagel: Tamper-proof ID and rational middle ground

"Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant, and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty," I said. "I disagree. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation."

Ten days after the speech, the Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida that conformed to my outline. But the House, which had been focused on border security alone, couldn't get a comprehensive bill done before the midterm elections in November 2006.

George W. Bush: We're a nation of immigrants, but also a nation of laws

1. A major new investment in border security, including doubling the Border Patrol by the end of 2008 and temporarily deploy 6000 National Guard troops
2. The temporary worker program, which would include a tamper-proof identification card
3. Stricter immigration enforcement at businesses, which would reduce exploitation and help slow demand for illegal workers
4. Promote assimilation by requiring immigrants to learn English
5. What to do with the approximately twelve million illegal immigrants in the country? [I outlined] a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation.

Mel Martinez: Tamper-proof ID and rational middle ground

"Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant, and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty," I said. "I disagree. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant and a program of mass deportation."

Ten days after the speech, the Senate passed a bill sponsored by Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Mel Martinez of Florida that conformed to my outline. But the House, which had been focused on border security alone, couldn't get a comprehensive bill done before the midterm elections in November 2006.