PLANET in White House

The Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) director of government affairs, Tom Delaney, and PLANET legislative consultant, Laurie Flanagan with DC Legislative & Regulatory Services, Inc., attended a senior level White House briefing on comprehensive immigration reform. The invitation-only briefing, held August 2, was conducted by Barry Jackson, deputy assistant to the President and deputy to the senior adviser (Karl Rove); Steven Law, deputy secretary of labor; and Ken Hill, Department of Homeland Security executive secretary.

During the briefing, President Bush’s principles for immigration reform were outlined. Jackson explained that the administration is committed to comprehensive immigration reform. The President believes there are three key elements to comprehensive reform: gain control of our borders, build a robust interior enforcement program and establish an effective temporary worker program.

President Bush also asked White House staff to develop an immigration proposal that includes all three elements based on the following principles: protecting the country, restoring the rule of law, recognizing that amnesty encourages violations of law and perpetuates illegal immigration, serving the economic needs of our nation and honoring our nation’s history of openness to legal immigration.

“I felt this was a very beneficial meeting,” Delaney said. “It clearly spoke to the fact that the administration is focused on immigration issues and is seeking our input. This should help us with our H-2B issues as well.”