Transcript Excerpts: President Bush's Remarks on Immigration Reform July 26, 2001

President George Bush told reporters July 26 that he is considering the possibility of offering legal status to illegal immigrants other than Mexicans in the United States.

"We'll consider all folks here," he said.

He added that the United States "ought to make it easier for people who want to employ somebody, who are looking for workers, to be able to hire people who want to work."

But the President emphasized that his immigration reform plans do not include amnesty.

"Let me make this very clear to people, " he said. "A word was creeping in the vernacular about this issue, called amnesty. I oppose blanket amnesty."

Following are excerpts of President Bush's answers to reporters' questions dealing with immigration reform at a photo opportunity July 26 at The Oval Office with Virginia gubernatorial candidate Mark Earley:

(begin transcript excerpts)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release July 26, 2001

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AND VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE MARK EARLEY
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
The Oval Office
11:23 A.M. EDT

Q. Mr. President, on the immigration proposal that you're weighing, sir, is there some reason that only Mexican workers should be considered? What about those from other countries?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we'll consider all folks here. Let me make this very clear to people, that there was -- a word was creeping in the vernacular about this issue, called amnesty. I oppose blanket amnesty. The American people need to know that. I do believe, though, that when we find willing employer and willing employee, we ought to match the two. We ought to make it easier for people who want to employ somebody, who are looking for workers, to be able to hire people who want to work.

And I know we can do so in a humane way that treats people with respect. Obviously, the Mexican issue is at the forefront because we're preparing for my first state visit with my friend, Vicente Fox. But I'm open-minded. I'll listen to all proposals that people have in mind.

Let me make another point on Mexico. It is wrong for the Congress to discriminate against Mexican trucks. And I urge the Senate to reject an amendment to the transportation bill that would clearly discriminate against Mexican truckers. Our Mexican counterparts and friends need to be treated just like the Canadians are treated. We ought to accept the spirit of NAFTA.

And so whether it be people, or trucks, or businesses, I solidly reject discrimination against people who are here, of all origins, particularly Mexico. And the reason why Mexico's on the front burner as far as the immigration issue, of course, is because of the initiative that Vicente Fox and I outlined, an initiative that encourages discussions, headed up by -- it's Colin Powell and John Ashcroft and their counterparts. And by the way, an initiative that is making good progress on making sure relations with our neighbor to the south are strong and cohesive, and there's a strategy that works and respectful. And we're making good progress, and the American people ought to be proud of that.

END 11:34 A.M. EDT

(end transcript excerpts)

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