Spokesman: Bush has 'improved' border security

Editor's note: Each week, WorldNetDaily White House correspondent Les Kinsolving asks the tough questions almost no one else will ask. And each week, WorldNetDaily brings you the transcripts of those dialogues with the president and his spokesman. If you'd like to suggest a question for the White House, submit it to WorldNetDaily's exclusive interactive forum MR. PRESIDENT!

At today's White House news briefing, WND asked presidential press secretary Scott McClellan about the Bush administration's record on illegal-immigration control.

WND: Page 1 of this morning's Washington Times quotes the leader of the draft Hillary for president organization as saying, "Bush has done everything he can to leave the doors wide open for illegal immigration. Hillary is the only one taking a position on immigration." And in Hillary's own words, "I do not think we have protected our borders."

And my first question: What is the president's response to this rather serious charge?

McCLELLAN: Well, let me just talk about our record and what we're pursuing when it comes to enforcing our borders and strengthening our immigration laws.

We have made significant progress to strengthen our immigration laws and improve border security. There is important legislation that was just passed, and the president looks forward to signing it this Friday.

It takes a number of steps to build upon that record we have pursued. We are a society of immigrants, and we believe – the president believes we should be a welcoming society.

But we also need to make sure that people who are coming into this country are coming here for the right reasons, and that they're coming here legally through the immigration process we have in place. And he believes we need to continue to build upon the steps we've already taken.

WND: A syndicated columnist, Phyllis Schlafly, reports that 4,000 –

McCLELLAN: Let's get straight to the question, because I see some other hands back up that I want to get to.

WND: – illegal aliens cross the border into Arizona every day. There are reports that 800,000 Californians have left the state, which has to spend $10 billion a year on schooling, health and incarceration of illegal aliens.

And my question: Why doesn't the president seal our borders with troops and electronic equipment now instead of waiting?

McCLELLAN: There are a lot of innovative approaches that states have taken to address some of these issues. I know, speaking from the Texas perspective, that the president worked on these issues when he was governor. And there was [sic] some innovative ways to try to address some of these issues.

But we're also working closely with our neighbors to the south, and working to expand trade opportunities so that we can improve the quality of life for those people who are simply coming to the United States seeking a better way of life, and so they'll be less inclined to want to come to the United States, or they'll be more inclined to return home to support their families. A lot of these people are coming here simply to support their families.

WND: They're claiming that Texas and –

McCLELLAN: You've had your questions.

WND: – Arizona and New Mexico and California are all –

McCLELLAN: This isn't a debate. This is a briefing.

Paula, go ahead. I said Paula, go ahead.