WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The following is Rep. Lynn Woolsey’s (D-Petaluma) statement in reaction to President Bush’s speech on immigration that he gave from the Oval Office on Monday evening:

“We must control our borders, but this is not a job for the National Guard.  The men and women serving in the National Guard are already overextended in a war in Iraq and it is irresponsible and unfair of the federal government to send them on another mission for which they are neither prepared nor trained.

“States need their National Guard troops to help in times of emergency.  We know too well how Americans suffered needlessly after Hurricane Katrina because their local National Guard troops were in the Middle East and not were they were intended - for service at home.

“While we must know who comes in and out of our country, we must look beyond ineffective, punitive proposals for immigration reform that push people further into hiding.  Besides enhancing the border patrol, we must make U.S. Customs and the INS work properly.  I support a reform package that would include orderly, legal avenues for immigration, a pathway to citizenship for those already working here and legislation that does not criminalize compassion.

“My comprehensive approach to immigration includes increasing the minimum wage to a living wage and providing worker protections which will help all employees. Finally, we must support an education system that helps assimilate students and their families into the community and remember that legal immigration continues to be an asset to California and our country by honoring the work and the worker.”