The event took place just off Manhattan at Ellis Island, where ancestors of
millions of Americans first set foot in the United States, to acknowledge
immigrants\' importance to the nation and its development.
In his address, Bush committed the Immigration and Naturalization Service to
a goal of processing all applications for U.S. citizenship in six months from start
to finish.
"We should spare families the hardship of separation while one member is
awaiting a Green Card," Bush said. "I support providing an extension of the
temporary window that allows people to file for legal residency without having
to return to their country of origin." He then urged Congress to act swiftly on
the matter.
"100 million Americans can draw a straight line from the life they know today,
to a moment inside this hall," Bush said. "Immigration is not a problem to be
solved, it is a sign of a confident and successful nation. Their arrival should be
greeted not with suspicion and resentment, but with openness and courtesy."
Before Bush spoke, dozens of recent immigrants attending the event officially
became U.S. citizens by raising their right hands and pledging allegiance to the
nation.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/10/bush.newyork/index.html
millions of Americans first set foot in the United States, to acknowledge
immigrants\' importance to the nation and its development.
In his address, Bush committed the Immigration and Naturalization Service to
a goal of processing all applications for U.S. citizenship in six months from start
to finish.
"We should spare families the hardship of separation while one member is
awaiting a Green Card," Bush said. "I support providing an extension of the
temporary window that allows people to file for legal residency without having
to return to their country of origin." He then urged Congress to act swiftly on
the matter.
"100 million Americans can draw a straight line from the life they know today,
to a moment inside this hall," Bush said. "Immigration is not a problem to be
solved, it is a sign of a confident and successful nation. Their arrival should be
greeted not with suspicion and resentment, but with openness and courtesy."
Before Bush spoke, dozens of recent immigrants attending the event officially
became U.S. citizens by raising their right hands and pledging allegiance to the
nation.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/07/10/bush.newyork/index.html