Spokesman to 'look into' illegal-alien guide

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 Mexican government's distribution of a comic-book-style guide to illegal border crossers.

WND: Scott, a two-part. The Arizona Republic reports that the Mexican government's foreign ministry is distributing a guide to assist border-crossing illegal aliens. It's entitled, "The Guide for the Mexican Migrant." And my question: Since the president surely opposes this, what will he do about it?

McCLELLAN: Who is providing this guide?

The foreign ministry of the government of Mexico.

McCLELLAN: Well, I will look into it. I'm not familiar with it.

WND: All right. California State Senator Gloria Romero, Los Angeles, reports that the 28,600 foreigners in California prisons cost the taxpayers $600 million to $800 million a year, but Mexico, in 2003, took back only 109 of the 17,500 Mexican illegal prisoners. And my question: Is the president as concerned about this as this Hispanic American state senator, who is a Democrat?

McCLELLAN: I think you've heard the president state his views when it comes to our immigration laws, which I think is what you're referring to in your question. We've taken a number of steps to strengthen our border security and to improve our immigration laws to prevent those who come here for the wrong reason from entering the country in the first place. The president has also outlined a temporary worker proposal that he would like Congress to act on to address a situation that we are currently in. And I think you've heard me talk about that, as well. This would show our compassionate side, as well as address an economic need. And the president has talked about that.

WND: What about exchanging prisoners? This is done all over the world. If we have a foreign national, we ship them over, and they ship ours over here. But the Mexican government will not accept [this], except 109.

McCLELLAN: This specific question might be best directed to the State Department. I'll be glad to look into it, as well. But I'm not familiar with the details of it.