Secretary's Speech

Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez
Immigration Reform Press Conference
Washington, D.C.

Thank you. As I have often said, I believe immigration is the domestic social issue of our time.

While we had hoped to get comprehensive reform passed on Capitol Hill, this Administration remains absolutely committed to addressing this issue. We will not idly sit by as the situation worsens.

We will use every available tool to provide America’s farmers, ranchers and small businesses with a legal workforce to stay in business and keep our economy strong.

Today, we are announcing a package of administrative reforms that sharpen the tools we have to protect the American people and make our immigration system more workable.

This package of reforms first and foremost deals with security, as Secretary Chertoff has outlined. That is the utmost priority of the federal government, and security must come first.

But the economic security of our nation is also essential. We do not have the workers our economy needs to keep growing each year. The demographics are not on our side.

While Congress has not passed a new temporary worker program, we do have existing programs on the books that help provide workers in industries like agriculture, landscaping, hospitality and lodging.

During the legislative process, we heard from many people involved—especially farmers and small business owners—that these programs could be made easier to use while protecting the rights of the workers.

That’s why the Department of Labor will be reviewing ways to make the H-2A agricultural seasonal worker program more workable while protecting the rights of workers.

The Department of Labor will also issue regulations streamlining the H-2B program for non-agricultural seasonal employees who work in industries ranging from hospitality to crab picking.

Finally, the Administration will study possible administrative reforms to the programs for temporary high-skilled workers.

With historically low 4.6 percent unemployment, it is clear that there are jobs Americans aren’t willing to do, or available to do. We must acknowledge this reality.

That means looking at ways to improve these vital programs so that they are workable, realistic and help meet the demands of our economy.

This is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Ultimately, Congress will have to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Without reform, we’re going to end up with a patchwork of laws nationwide. As of July 2, more than 1,400 immigration bills had been submitted by state lawmakers. And since January, 170 of those bills have become laws.

Without reform, we will also see many of our agricultural products coming from overseas, and small businesses and farmers going out of business.

This issue is not going away.

We will enforce the laws on the books, address what we can through administrative means, and continue to highlight the need for a comprehensive reform that is essential for our nation’s future security and prosperity.

Thank you. Now, we are happy to take your questions.