In quotes: Immigration reform reaction

Reactions in quotes from the US and Mexico to President George W Bush's plans to deploy an extra 6,000 guards along the US-Mexican border, to introduce a temporary guest-worker scheme and allow some illegal immigrants to become US citizens.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

It remains unclear what impact only 6,000 National Guard troops will have on securing the border. I am concerned asking National Guard troops to guard our nation's border is a Band-Aid solution and not the permanent solution we need.

BILL FRIST, SENATE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER

Utilising the National Guard is an effective, short-term stopgap to immediately strengthen border security as long-range reforms begin to take effect.

MEXICAN FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT

Although the Mexican government has received assurances that the announced measures do not imply a militarisation of the border, we have to express our concern that these actions are not accompanied by enough progress in the legislative process.

RICHARD DURBIN, DEMOCRAT ILLINOIS

Real immigration reform begins with enforcement at the border and in the workplace, but it does not end with enforcement. During the last decade we have doubled the number of patrol agents, and illegal immigration into the United States has also doubled. We need a comprehensive, tough and fair approach. People who have broken our laws should not and will not be rewarded with amnesty. But people who work hard and play by the rules should have a chance to earn their way to legal status if they pay a fine, learn English, pay back taxes and go to the back of the line.

J D HAYWORTH, REPUBLICAN ARIZONA

Here is the perverse paradox of what is being championed in the Senate, a so-called breakthrough. The net result is the longer you have violated United States law and the more flagrant your violation the better it is for you in terms of gaining this path to citizenship. It's encapsulated in the description, illegal immigration, not to become too obvious or facile or even cheeky about it, but illegal means against the law. That's what Americans have a strong exception to.

DUNCAN HUNTER, REPUBLICAN CALIFORNIA

If the Guard can go to work on the fence between Douglas, Arizona, and Calexico, California immediately, they've got a chance of saving lots of lives during the hot season, which is going to commence in about 20 days.

LORENZO DE LA FUENTE, MAYOR OF NOGALES, MEXICO

We've heard the speech. I don't think it will work. We're getting 500 people daily deported back through Nogales, that's quite a burden on us, of those around 230 minors are minors...Some are those just sent straight back, others have been in the US for some time...All of these people getting across to look for jobs and it's jobs that the American people won't handle. So they need a workforce some place and we're providing it. We respect the US laws but the problem is these people that are getting across, most of these people already have a job waiting for them in the United States.

ROY BORANE, MAYOR OF DOUGLAS, ARIZONA

The reason we are in the situation we are in and the reason for the president's announcement is, quite frankly, because enforcement on the border doesn't work...An amnesty is just an alarming tactic. These people are so engrossed in keeping (illegal immigrants) out and so adamant about sending them back home, that they don't recognise the value of these (immigrants) in our global economy.

MEXICO'S DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION PARTY (PRD) STATEMENT

In a time of peace, a neighbouring government's decision to mobilise its armed forces is always a very serious decision

FELIPE CALDERON, MEXICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, NATIONAL ACTION PARTY (PAN)

The decision to favour border security as a primary way to control immigration shows the misreading by those who think the solution to the flow of immigration in North America is more fences, sensors, and agents.

LEO SAMANIEGO, EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF

You're going to spread (National Guards) not evenly, it's impossible, okay. They have to have a base where they can go eat and sleep and so forth, so they are not going to be strung out 2,000 miles, they are going to have them in little groups here and there, and then the rest of the border will be open...I don't think the military soldiers or National Guard belong on the border, I don't think that is a solution, these people are trained to fight wars, they are trained to kill the enemy and we are dealing with a domestic problem.

ROY BLUNT, HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP

While I appreciate the president's willingness to tackle big problems, I have real concerns about moving forward with a guest worker programme or a plan to address those currently in the United States illegally until we have adequately addressed our serious border problems.