Bush To Address Nation On Immigration
Minuteman Project Rally Draws Counter-Demonstration
Friday, May 12, 2006: Posted: 7:03 p.m. EDT (23:03GMT)
Washington (CNN) – President Bush will speak from the Oval Office Monday about immigration and border security, hot button issues that have inspired massive demonstrations and a growing political divide.
Starting at 8:00 p.m., the president is expected to talk for about 20 minutes, and might also address the National Guard’s role in securing the borders.
Whitehouse spokesman Tony Snow announced the address earlier Friday. It will be the president’s 21st nationwide address since he took office.
Rallies held in Washington Friday further illustrated the differences among Americans on immigration issues and impending immigration bills.
Standing behind a yellow policeline, supporters of the Minuteman Project – a grass-roots groups opposed to illegal immigrants staying in the country – shouted, “We speak English here” in response to Spanish chants of “No los vamos, aqui estamos” or, translated, “We’re here and we’re not going anywhere.”
Frist: Confident Bill Will Pass
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told CNN Espanol on Friday he is confident a fair and balanced immigration bill proposal will be completed before Memorial Day.
“We know we need to address the 12 million people who have come here illegally,” Frist said. “There will be a free and open debate.”
Frist said one of the decisions he and the Senate leaders will be making in the coming weeks is whether or not to incorporate a House bill that has already passed into their bill.
Whether the government produces meaningful solutions or not, the Minuteman Project will begin implementing a solution of their own at the end of the month.
Minuteman Project members, together with land owners in Texas and California, will work with contractors to mend, repair and build fences along private property.
“It’s going to be a standard barbed wire fence probably exceeding 6 to 7 feet,” said Minuteman Project spokesman Tim Bueler. “It’s a statement. Building a wall is not necessarily the right the right approach to this. Having the National Guard is and then taking the incentive away from illegal immigrants.”
In his CNN Espanol interview Friday, Frist said he would support calling in the National Guard if necessary to secure borders – but individual states should make the call.
He doesn’t believe federal troops patrolling the border are necessary