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Suspect Found in Detroit Office Shooting; Imus Starts Uproar with Racist, Sexist Comments; Bush Points to Progress on Border Security
Aired April 09, 2007 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
T.J. HOLMES, CO-HOST: Well, the flap over Don Imus. Will his racist comments cost him his job? He goes toe to toe with the Reverend Al Sharpton this hour. You'll hear what Imus has to say.
Meanwhile, you are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. Hello to you all. I'm T.J. Holmes. We're here at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, and Don Lemon is off today.
BETTY NGUYEN, CO-HOST: Yes, and I'm Betty Nguyen, in for Kyra Phillips, who is on assignment in Iraq.
HOLMES: Well, we're going to begin in Michigan this hour. We've been watching this scene for a little bit here outside of Detroit. There have been at least three people shot inside a suburban Detroit office building. Confirmed now that at least one person is dead.
We want to now listen to Lieutenant Gerry Scherlinck, who's announced an arrest. This happened just moments ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LT. GERRY SCHERLINCK, TROY, MICHIGAN, POLICE: We believe we have located the suspect and are in the process of possibly taking him into custody right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And where again is this?
SCHERLINCK: I don't know at this point. Again, it's in progress as we speak, northern Genesee County on the freeway. We've located the vehicle, and we're trying to determine whether or not it is being occupied at this time by this suspect.
So we believe we have located him and are in the process of taking him into custody.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So would you say it's on the road or is it on the side of the road?
SCHERLINCK: I'm not sure exactly what's going on. My latest update was we located the vehicle, it is in northern Genesee county, possibly on I-75. And as soon as I hear the status of that stop attempt, I will let you know. But it looks like we have found the vehicle and the suspect.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Was that Michigan State Police who possibly pulled him over?
SCHERLINCK: I'm not sure where he was going. Again, we believe -- all I can tell you we believe we have located the vehicle and the suspect. I'm not sure which jurisdiction is involved, but it appears to be on northbound I-75 in the Saginaw area.
So again, as soon as I hear the status of that stop I'll update you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And if he...
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HOLMES: All right. We want to head down to our Robin Simmons from our affiliate WDIV for the latest.
First, give us an idea just how far is that we're talking about that they were able to find this car and find the suspect? How far outside of the crime scene was he able to get?
ROBIN SIMMONS, WDIV CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're in Troy. And this gentleman was discovered about an hour and 20 minutes north of here on I-75.
And Lieutenant Gerry Scherlinck, who you saw there speaking about this capture, says that this man did not have any identification on him. He characterized his capture as this man being uncooperative.
But he did match the description. The vehicle did match the registration of the man they were looking for. He has been described to us, identified to us as Anthony LaCalamita, 38 years old, did work here at this office building as an accountant and, for some reason, was either laid off or fired some time last week.
We understand from people who were calling from inside, calling loved ones to tell them that someone was inside this office shooting, that he just walked in and, apparently, was targeting these three individuals.
Once again, one person killed, two people injured in this accounting office building.
And as you can imagine, this is tax time season for them, so very stressful as it is. People with long hours, people bringing work home on weekends and holidays. And unfortunately, a deadly shooting here today this morning in Troy.
But once again, Troy police say they believe they have their suspect in custody, and in a couple of hours they expect to have him back here in Troy to face charges -- T.J.
HOLMES: And Robin, I want to be clear. I think you mentioned in there, but as far as his motive, at least what police are saying, is that he actually walked in here. It appears he had been laid off or had previously worked at this place, so was possibly fired and went back in and was specifically targeting people. He was not just in there shooting randomly. He went after certain folks.
SIMMONS: That is correct. Troy police tell us that all of the shooting took place on the second floor. They are not identifying the business involved, but we have been speaking to people who work either inside that specific business or outside. And they have identified this business as Gordon and Associates. It is an accounting firm.
And I spoke to a gentleman who received several calls from his wife this morning. He was at work in another suburb, was not able to take the calls immediately.
And when he was able to call his wife back, he was stunned to hear her whispering, really frightened, and telling him that people in her office were hiding because a man had come back who was fired or laid off sometime last week, with a gun and was shooting people.
Now, we do not know exactly what happened that might have led to his departure, at least, with this company. But we do know that the security codes had been changed in this building, so security was aware that this man was not to be let inside.
HOLMES: Wow.
SIMMONS: He did get inside, though. He did have a long gun. Troy police say they received a flurry of 911 calls when this man walked into this building. And once again, made a beeline for the second floor, shooting three people, one person killed, two injured.
And Troy police do say that, at least in his mind, maybe not on paper, maybe not overtly, but he did appear to have some sort of a hit list in mind, because these three individuals were specifically targeted.
HOLMES: And Robin, just quickly, because you made an important point there. The codes had been changed. The security was aware of him. Apparently, everybody knew or thought, at least, for some reason, that he might be dangerous. Any idea how he in the world he got in, certainly got in with a gun?
SIMMONS: You know, that is the million dollar question at this hour. Troy police obviously are focusing on getting this man. They do believe they found him about an hour and 20 minutes north of here. They are trying to get him brought back here to face charges.
So, now that that part of the puzzle has been taken care of -- they have found him, they have found the weapon, they have found the car that they believe is registered to this man -- now they can go back and ask -- and answer some of these other questions.
How did this man get into this building? You know, we asked that of Lieutenant Gerri Scherlinck. And he said, you know what? When this man walked in -- and we don't know if he had obscured the shot in some way, but when he walked in, people just did not know what to do.
And I guess if someone walks in with a shot gun, security -- maybe, you know -- we don't know. These are all questions that are going to have to be answered as the investigation into this case continues
HOLMES: All right. Robin Simmons for us, all right. WDIV, our affiliate there. Robin, thank you so much for the update. Certainly a tragic story there. But thank you so much.
NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. We are learning, according to the Associated Press, that the British government is barring all service members from talking to the media in return for payment.
Now, this is very different from the statement that we learned earlier from the British government, saying that sailors and marines will be allowed to sell their stories to the media, which when we heard that -- in fact, it was a break from the usual policy, and it was not sitting well with many.
Reports out of Britain did say that the only woman in the group -- this being the 15 sailors and marines who were held captive in Iran -- that woman in the group had sold her story for $300,000.
Well, now it appears, according to the Associated Press, that the British government is barring all service members from taking payment for talking to the media.
In other news, he has crossed the line so many times it is almost not news when radio host Don Imus says something offensive, unless, of course, he aims some racist, sexist cracks at young ladies at the top of their game.
CNN's Jim Acosta -- Acosta, that is -- has the latest on the Imus uproar.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a restrained form of protest on Easter Sunday as Rutgers women's basketball coach Vivian Stringer sat in church and let her pastor make the case for talk radio host Don Imus to step down.
REV. DEFOREST SOARIES JR., FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LINCOLN GARDENS: We intend to, at the very least, demand the resignation or termination of Mr. Imus.
ACOSTA: That followed louder criticism from the Reverend Al Sharpton, who warned of continuing protests outside the broadcaster's studio.
REV. AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: If he stands down next Saturday at this time, we will leave this rally and we will head down to the station and we will picket that station. And we will picket that station as long as Don Imus is on that station.
ACOSTA: Imus ignited the firestorm that now threatens his 40- year career last week when he and his executive producer ripped into the Rutgers women's basketball team.
DON IMUS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST/MSNBC SHOW HOST: Those are some nappy headed ho's there. I'm going to tell you that now.
ACOSTA: It took two days for Imus to apologize.
IMUS: Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid. And we're sorry.
ACOSTA: Then again this morning Imus tried once more, telling his listeners he would appear on Sharpton's radio show later in the day.
IMUS: I'm not a bad person. I'm a good person. But I said a bad thing. But these young women deserve to know that it was not said with malice.
CLARENCE PAGE, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST: I'm just disappointed.
ACOSTA: Columnist Clarence Page was understandably disappointed. Six years ago he had asked Imus to stop making racist humor a part of his program.
PAGE: I had him hold up his hand and take a pledge like in AA or a 12-step program, and he went along with it. Unfortunately, as we can see now, he's fallen off the wagon, which I think is unfortunate.
ACOSTA: If Imus survives the big question is whether his show can still draw political heavyweights, such as presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Barack Obama and John McCain, who is a frequent guest.
PAGE: I think that any candidate who goes on his show now has to answer for it, just like if they belonged to a country club that discriminates.
ACOSTA (on camera): And we tried to contact several of the major presidential candidates over the weekend. So far only one "no comment", from Mitt Romney's camp.
Jim Acosta, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NGUYEN: So Imus' appearance on Al Sharpton's radio show is supposed to happen this hour. We are going to bring you the highlights just as soon as we can.
Also want you to know that we're interested in what you think. Should Don Imus apologize? Or at least that apology that he's given, is that going to be enough to end this controversy over his comments about the Rutgers players?
Take part in our quick vote. That's at CNN.com. The results so far, though, have said 55 percent say it's enough; 45 percent say it's not enough.
HOLMES: On the anniversary of the day Baghdad fell, Iraqis wave their fists in an anti-American protest. Thousands are in the streets of the holy city of Najaf today in a demonstration called for by radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The anti-American rally comes four years after the fall of Baghdad to U.S. forces.
Going to head now to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, where we find CNN's Kyra Phillips.
Hello, Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, T.J.
You know what's really interesting, when you look at this video you see thousands of people on the streets demonstrating. Yet, you don't see any car bombs. You don't see any explosions. You don't see any banners saying things about U.S. troops being in this country. You don't see any pictures of Muqtada al-Sadr.
It's a totally different image that you're seeing. It's political theater is what it is, because here's the underlying message. Is that when you look at the video you think, oh, everybody's being peaceful. You see the Iraqi flag, looks like they're united. This is Operation Iraqi Freedom. Everything is going well in Iraq.
But really, this rally was called by -- like you said, by Muqtada al-Sadr. He is the popular Shiite cleric in this country, anti- American Shiite cleric, and he has asked everybody to come together, Iraqi army, Iraqi police, Iraqis to join forces and say we don't want the occupiers as he refers to U.S. troops, in this country.
We need to ban together and show everyone, show the world, that on this fourth anniversary of the war, going into the fifth year of this war, that we don't want U.S. troops here. That is the message.
And what's interesting is you wouldn't realize that unless you knew the political drama that was going on. And it's interesting because here's a man who has allegedly fled to Iran, hiding in Iran.
And he's saying to the prime minister of Iraq, he's saying to the U.S. government, he's saying to U.S. troops, nose up to you. Look at the power I have. Look at what I can do, whether I'm in Iraq or I'm in Iran -- T.J.
HOLMES: You know, no matter what anybody says about him, that certainly says a lot, that he's able to organize like that, especially they're saying he's in Iran hiding somewhere.
But we'll move on to that day we saw four years ago. Everybody remembers that Saddam statue coming down. That image really is going to stick with folks for a long, long time.
So, what's there now? Has anything else been erected in that same pot?
PHILLIPS: Well, I'll never forget it. And I'm sure, you know, we -- of course in our business we all remember that videotape of U.S. Marines and Iraqis joining forces, pulling down that statue of Saddam Hussein, cracking at it, wanting to get a piece of it, wanting to pull it across central Baghdad there. And I was driving past there the other day and didn't even realize that was Firdous Square. Firdous meaning paradise or heaven.
And I had to take a double-take, T.J. Because I saw this sculpture up on this pedestal where that statue once stood, and I want to find out more of what that meant, who put it there.
And it's a group of local artists, artists that have never been able to express themselves. They call themselves the survivors. And they put together this sculpture. It's a family, an Iraqi family, a man, a woman and a child, holding up the sun and the moon, representing ancient Iraq and the new Iraq. So quite a different message, shall we say, from four years ago.
HOLMES: That's s lot different, and certainly, we don't anticipate anybody trying to tear that one down anytime soon, hopefully. We're going to see you again next hour. What do you got for us coming up next hour, Kyra?
PHILLIPS: That's right. Actually, I started just by talking to Iraqis and spending time on the streets. I was amazed, T.J., at the amount of prescription drugs, things that you'd have to go see a pharmacist or a doctor for in the United States, for sale in pharmacies and on the black market: pain killers like Valium, antidepressants like Prozac, and just the boom in sales of these drugs.
You'll be surprised to see who's buying these drugs and how they're using them. You'll be shocked, actually, once you see this report coming up next hour.
HOLMES: We can't wait to see it. Can't wait to see you again. Good to see you, as always.
Kyra, thank you so much.
PHILLIPS: Thanks, T.J..
NGUYEN: Well, there's another big push for immigration reform. At this hour President Bush is touring the border. That's the U.S. border with Mexico. He's in Yuma, Arizona, to deliver a speech marking his second crack at the crucial but vexing political task of containing illegal immigration.
Traveling with the president, CNN's Ed Henry joins us live.
Hi there, Ed.
ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Betty.
That's right. The president's motorcade just went past me a moment ago. He should be speaking in just a few minutes about what he calls comprehensive immigration reform.
As you noted a few moments ago, he also wrapped up a tour of the border, basically, border -- the fence construction area. You know, a lot made about that border fence.
Also, he's been taking an up close look at what Border Patrol agents, some of the high-tech tools they have to try and track illegal immigrants, such as night scopes on vehicles and other things like that.
Why is the president doing all this? What's the point here? What he's really trying to do is show conservatives in his own party that he gets it. He understands their frustration, their outrage about the lack of border security in the United States right now.
He wants to try to cite statistics today that he believes shows that that situation is improving. And in exchange for showing that he's serious, in his mind, about border security, he wants conservatives to come along and finally support his plan to also have a temporary worker program for the 12 million illegal immigrants already here in the U.S.
But as you know, many conservatives still not buying into that. They say it should just be border security first. Deal with temporary worker programs down the road.
Interestingly, and ironically perhaps, the president may have a better shot of passing his plan now in a Democratic Congress than he did in a Republican Congress.
But there are also trouble spots in the Democratic Congress. CNN has obtained a Power Point presentation that the Bush administration has been using in recent days to try to sell this plan behind closed doors.
And quickly, one specific policy provision we're now learning about is that the administration wants to have a $2,000 fine levied on illegal immigrants so that they can get a work visa, and then also a $1,500 processing fee.
That's to show conservatives he's getting tough, but Democrats are already starting to raise noise and saying, "Wait a second. We think that's too high." They are saying they think $3,500 for an illegal immigrant not making a lot of money in the United States, to pay $3,500 is too much.
It gives you an idea of just sort of the political fence, if you will, the president is sitting on. Every time he reaches out to conservatives, if he goes a little too far there, the Democrats come after him. So it's very difficult for him to sell this immigration reform plan -- Betty.
NGUYEN: Well, Ed, let's just take a good look at this. Because the president, as you very well know, is in the same spot, Yuma, Arizona, where he was almost a year ago. So, are we really going to see any immigration reform in the coming months?
HENRY: Still an uphill battle. And you're right to say the president is not only in the same spot in Yuma that he was 11 months ago literally but figuratively, as well. He has really made little, if any, progress on getting this immigration reform plan through.
If -- the bottom line is, it's one of the legacy items he wants to accomplish on the domestic front before he leaves office. But, based on the uphill battle he's facing, he may have to look for other things on that wish list. Because this is going to be a very tough slot. The Senate will start debating it in mid-May. It's going to be an uphill climb, Betty.
NGUYEN: Ed Henry, we appreciate it.
And we do want to remind our viewers that the president will be speaking very shortly. And when he does, we will bring it to you live.
HOLMES; Also want to let you know we're keeping our eye on this developing story out of suburban Detroit, where there's been an office place shooting there in Troy, Michigan. Three shot, at least one dead.
And police believe now they do have their suspect, who was located some hour or so away from that scene. We are keeping an eye on that story. We'll continue to bring you those developments.
NGUYEN: Also, three shootings, two deaths, one suspect. Police fan out in several states looking for other possible victims in a bizarre case.
HOLMES: Also, flying low to fight a chill. It's man versus nature here in the NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: It's 1:21 Eastern, and here are three of the stories that we're working on in the CNN NEWSROOM this hour.
Police believe they have located the suspect in today's shooting at an office building outside Detroit. One person was killed, two others wounded. Police were looking for a man who used to work at that building. Now they have found his car, and they believe that he is in it.
We're keeping an ear on the Reverend Al Sharpton's radio show, where Don Imus is a guest. Imus drew fire on his national radio show for racially charged remarks about the Rutgers University women's basketball team. Sharpton earlier called for Imus to be fired.
And this story broke just minutes ago. The Associated Press reports the British government is now banning members of the military from talking to the media in return for money. The ban won't affect any of the 15 British troops who were held captive by Iran who have already given their accounts for money.
HOLMES: I want to take you now live to Yuma, Arizona, where you see the president there. He's there to talk about a guest worker program and inspect the construction of some border fencing. We'll listen into the president. GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ... the work you're doing day and night to protect these borders, and the American people owe you a great debt of gratitude.
You know, the Border Patrol is really an important agency. I know some people are wondering whether or not it makes sense to join the Border Patrol. My answer is I've gotten to know the Border Patrol. I know the people serving in this fine agency. I would strongly urge our fellow citizens to take a look at this profession. You're outdoors. You're working with good people, and you're making a solid contribution to the United States of America.
And I want to thank you all for wearing the uniform and doing the tough work necessary, the work that the American people expect you to do.
Last May I visited this section of the border, and it was then that I talked about the need for our government to give you the manpower and resources you need to do your job. We were understaffed here. We weren't using enough technology to enable those who work here to be able to do the job the American people expect.
Returned to check on the progress, to make sure that the check wasn't in the mail and, in fact, had been delivered.
I went to a neighborhood that abuts up against the border. When I was here in May, it's the place where a lot of people came charging across. One or two agents would be trying to do their job and stopping a flood of folks charging into Arizona. They couldn't do the job. It's physically impossible.
Back at this site there's now infrastructure. There's fencing. The amount of people trying to cross the border at that spot is down significantly.
I appreciate very much Ron Coburn (ph), Elay Littleton (ph). They gave me the tour. Coburn (ph), as you know, is heading up north. He's going to miss the weather. More importantly he's going to miss the folks he worked with down here.
I appreciate both of their service. I appreciate the tour. The efforts are working. This border is more secure, and America is safer as a result.
Securing the border is a critical part of a strategy for comprehensive immigration reform. It is an important part of reform that is necessary so that the Border Patrol agents down here can do their job more effectively.
Congress is going to take up the legislation on immigration. It's a matter of national interest, and it's a matter of deep conviction for me. I've been working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to resolve outstanding issues so that Congress can pass a comprehensive bill and I can sign it into law this year.
I appreciate the hard work of Secretary Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. I appreciate Commissioner Ralph Basham. He's the main man in charge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
David Aguilar, chief of the Border Patrol, is with us. David, thank you for the job you're doing.
Lieutenant General Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
I want to thank the governor of the state of Arizona, Janet Napolitano. I appreciate you being here, Governor. Thank you for taking time from the session to be down here. And it means a lot when the governors take an active interest in what's going on in the borders of their respective states.
I appreciate so very much Senator Jon Kyl. Kyl is one of the most respected United States senators and I'm proud to be with him today and glad to give him a ride back to Washington, I might add.
I appreciate members of the congressional delegation who joined us. John Shadyac, Jeff Flake. From Snowflake, Arizona, I want you to know. And I appreciate you working on this immigration issue.
Congressman Trent Franks and Congressman Harry Mitchell. I appreciate you all taking time for being with me today. It means a lot that you've come.
I want to thank Senator Tim Bee -- he's the president of the Arizona state Senate -- for being here.
Mr. Mayor, thank you for coming, Larry Nelson, the mayor of Yuma, Arizona. I appreciate you being here, Mr. Mayor.
I do want to thank Major General David Radochek (ph). He's adjunct general of the state of Arizona.
Thank you all of the local and state officials.
Most importantly I want to thank the Border Patrol agents, and I want to thank the National Guard folks for wearing the uniform. I am proud to be commander in chief of all these units here today. And I appreciate your service to the United States of America.
I hope -- I hope by now the American people understand the need for comprehensive immigration reform is a clear need. Illegal immigration is a serious problem. You know it better than anybody. It puts pressure on the public schools and the hospitals. Not only here in our border states but states around the country.
It drains the state and local budgets. I was talking to the governor about how strained the budget is. Incarceration of criminals who are here illegally strains the Arizona budget. But there's a lot of other ways it strains the local and state budgets.
It brings crime to our communities. It's a problem, and we need to address it, aggressively. This problem has been growing for decades. And past efforts to address it have failed. These failures helped create a perception that America was not serious about enforcing our immigration laws and that they could be broken without consequence.
Past efforts of reform did not do enough to secure our nation's borders. As a result, many people have been able to sneak into this country. If you don't man your borders and don't protect your borders, people are going to sneak in. That's what's been happening for a long time.
Past efforts at reform failed to address the underlying economic reasons behind illegal immigration. People will make great sacrifices to get into this country to find jobs and provide for their families.
When I was the governor of Texas I used to say family values did not stop at the Rio Grande River. People are coming here to put food on the table, and they are doing jobs Americans are not doing. And the farmers in this part of the world understand exactly what I'm saying. So do a lot of other folks around the country. People are coming to work. And many of them have no lawful way to come to America. So they are sneaking in.
Past efforts at reform also failed to provide sensible ways for employers to verify the legal status of the workers they hire. It's against the law to knowingly hire an illegal alien. And as a result, because they couldn't verify the legal status, it was difficult for employers to comply. It's difficult for the government to enforce the laws at the work site. And yet it is a necessary part of a comprehensive plan.
You see, the lessons of all of these experiences, the lesson of these experiences is clear. All elements of the issue must be addressed together. You can't address just one aspect and not be able to say to the American people that we're secure in our borders. We need a comprehensive bill. That's what I'm working with members of Congress on, a comprehensive immigration bill. And now it's a year to get it done. The first element, of course, is to secure this border.
That's what I'm down here for, to remind the American people that we're spending their money, taxpayers' money, on securing the border and we're making progress. This border should be open to trade and lawful immigration. And shut down to criminals, and drug dealers, and terrorists, and coyotes, and smugglers, people who prey on innocent life. We more than doubled the funding for the border security since I've been the president. It's one thing to hear people come down here and talk. It's another thing for people to come down and do what they say they are going to do. I want to thank Congress for working on this issue.
The funding is increasing manpower, increasing infrastructure and increasing technology. When I landed here at the airport the first thing I saw was an unmanned aerial vehicle. It's a sophisticated piece of equipment. You can fly it from inside a truck. And you can look at people moving at night. It's the most sophisticated technology we have and it's down here on the border to help the Border Patrol agents do their job. We've expanded the number of Border Patrol agents from about 9,000 to 13,000 and by the end of 2008 we're going to have a total of more than 18,000 agents.
I had the privilege of going to Artesia, New Mexico, to the training center. It was a fantastic experience to see the young cadets getting ready to come and wear the green of the Border Patrol. By the time we're through, we will have doubled the size of the Border Patrol. You can't do the job, the American people expect, unless you got enough manpower. We're increasing the manpower here. This new technology is really important to leverage the manpower. Whether it be the technology of surveillance and communication. We're going to make sure the agents have got what is necessary to be able to establish a common picture and get information out to the field as quickly as possible. So that those 18,000 agents when they are finally on station, can do the job the American people expect.
But manpower can't do it alone. In other words, there has to be some infrastructure along the border. To be able to let these agents do their job. And so I appreciate the fact that we've got double fencing, all-weather roads, new lighting, mobile cameras. The American people have no earthly idea what's going on down here. One of the reasons I've come is to let you know, let the taxpayers know, the good folks down here are making progress. We worked with our nation's governors to deploy 6,000 national guard members to provide the Border Patrol with immediate reinforcements. In other words, it takes time to train the Border Patrol, and until they are fully trained, we've asked the guard to come down. It's called Operation Jump Start, and the guard down here is serving notably. I had the chance to visit with some of the guard.
And, Mr. Mayor, you'll be glad to hear they like being down her in Yuma, Arizona. They like the people, and they like the mission. More than 600 members of the guard are serving here in the Yuma sector. And I thank the guard and equally importantly, I thank their families for standing by the men and women who wear the uniform during this particular mission. You e-mail them back home and tell them how much I appreciate the fact that they are standing by you. I appreciate very much the fact that illegal border crossings in this area are down.
And a month before Operation Jump Start, an average of more than 400 people a day were apprehended trying to cross, the number has dropped to a fewer than 140 a day. There is one way the Border Patrol can tell whether or not we're making progress is the number of apprehensions. When you apprehended fewer people, means fewer are trying to come across. If you were trying to come across, because we're deterring people from attempting illegal border crossings in the first place. Appreciate what Kolbern says. They see us watching them, that's what he said. They decided they can't get across. That's part of the effort we're doing. We're saying, we're going to make it harder for you so don't try in the first place. We're seeing similar results all across the southern border. The number of people apprehended for crossing our southern border is down nearly 30 percent this year. We're making progress. It's hard work but necessary work.
Another important deterrent to illegal immigration, is to end what was called catch and release. I know how this discouraged some of our Border Patrol agents. I talked to them personally. They worked hard to find somebody sneaking in, they apprehended them, the next thing they know they are back in society on our side of the border. Nothing more discouraging than to have somebody risk their life or work hard and have the fruits of their labor undermined. That's what was happening with catch and release. We'd catch people, and we say show up for your court date. And they wouldn't show up for their court date. Shouldn't surprise anybody. That's what was happening. The reason why that was happening is because we didn't have enough beds to detain people. Most of the people we apprehend down here are from Mexico. About 85 percent of the illegal immigrants caught crossing this border are Mexican. They are sent home within 24 hours.
It's the illegal immigrants from other countries that are not that easy to send home. For many years the government didn't have enough space. And so Michael and I worked with Congress to increase the number of beds available. That excuse was eliminated. The practice has been effectively ended. Catch and release for every non- Mexican has been effectively ended. I want to thank the Border Patrol and the leaders of the Boarder Patrol for allowing me to stand up and say that's the case. The reason why it's not only beds but we have expedited the legal process to cut the average deportation time. These are non-Mexican illegal aliens that we caught trying to sneak in to our country. We are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. I said we are going to effectively end catch and release and we have.
The second element of a comprehensive immigration reform is a temporary worker program. You cannot fully secure the border until we take pressure off the border. And that requires a temporary worker program. It seems to make sense to me. That if you've got people coming here to do jobs Americans aren't doing, we need to figure out a way that they can do so in a legal basis for a temporary period of time. And that way our Border Patrol can chase the criminals and the drug runners, potential terrorists, and not have to try to chase people who are coming here to do work in Americans are not doing.
If you want to take the pressure off your border, have a temporary worker program. It'll help not only reduce the number of people coming across the border, but do something about the inhumane treatment that these people are subjected to. There's a whole smuggling operation. You know this better than I do. There's a bunch of smugglers. They use the individual as a commodity. And they make money off these poor people. They stuff them in the back of 18- wheelers. And they find hovels for them to hide in. There's a whole industry that has sprung up. Since this country respects human rights and the human condition, that it'd be a great contribution to eliminate this thuggery. To free these people from this extortion they go through. One way is to do so is to say you can come and work in our country for jobs Americans aren't doing for a temporary period of time.
The third element of a comprehensive reform is hold employers accountable for the workers they hire. If you want to make sure we've got a system in which people are not violating the law, you got to make sure we hold people to account like employers. Forcing immigration is a vital part of any successful reform. So, the department is cracking down on employers who knowingly violate the law.
But not only are there coyotes' smuggling people in, there are document forgers making a living off these people. So, in other words, people may want to comply with the law but it's very difficult at times to verify the legal status of their employees. So to make the work site enforcement practical on a larger scale, we have got to issue a tamper-proof identification card for legal foreign workers. We must create a better system for employers to verify the legality of the workers. We got work to do. Part of a comprehensive bill, is to make sure that work site enforcement is effective.
Fourth, we've got to resolve the status of millions of illegal immigrants already here in the country. People who entered our country illegally should not be given amnesty. Amnesty is the forgiveness of an offense without penalty. I oppose amnesty. I think most people in the U.S. Congress oppose amnesty. People say why not? And the reason why is because you 10 years from now you don't want to have a president having to address the next 11 million people who might be here illegally. That's why you don't want amnesty.
Secondly, we're a nation of law and we expect people to up hold the law. So we're working closely with Republicans and Democrats to find a practical answer that lies between granting automatic citizenship to every illegal immigrant and deporting every illegal immigrant. It is impractical to take the position, that we'll just find the 11 million or 12 million people and send them home. It's an impractical position, its not going to work. It may sound good, it may make nice sound bite news, it won't happen.
And therefore we need to work together to come up with a practical solution to this problem. I know people in Congress are working hard on this issue. Illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay meaningful penalty for breaking the law and pay their taxes, and learn the English language and show that they worked at a job for a number of years. People who can meet a number of reasonable conditions and pay a penalty of time and money should be able to apply for citizenship. But approval would not be automatic. And they would have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law.
What I describe is a way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen.
Finally, we have got to honor the tradition of the melting pot. And help people assimilate into our society by learning our history, our values and our language. Last June I created a new task force to look for ways to help newcomers assimilate and succeed in our country. Many organizations from churches to businesses to civic associations are working to answer this call and I'm grateful for their service. So here are the outlines for our comprehensive immigration reform bill. It's an emotional issue as I'm sure you can imagine. People, have got deep convictions. And my hope is that we can have a serious and civil and conclusive debate. So, we'll continue to work with members of both political parties. I think the atmosphere up there is good right now. I think people generally want to come together and put a good bill together.
HUGHES: Well, the president there, wrapping up with that point, saying people genuinely want to put a good bill together when it comes to comprehensive immigration reform. In Yuma, Arizona, to inspect construction of the new fencing along the border laying out, really, a new plan or at least the points he think need to be addressed in any immigration reform. Certainly among them, securing the border which he says must be done first, also dealing with the immigrants that are here now.
He says he does not support amnesty but some other plan that would allow them to stay here but still pay some kind of a fine for that. So, the president there, immigration reform, top of the list, hoping to get a bill and signed by the end of this year so. We shall see. Quite a contentious time on Capitol Hill dealing with Iraq, Democrats in charge going head to head with the president on that issue. See if they can come together on this one. We've been watching there in Yuma, Arizona
NGUYEN: In other news, loose lips sink ships, heard that, right?. Well, sometimes it also sinks radio careers. Ahead, in the NEWSROOM, activists are seeing red and demand a pink slip for talk jock Don Imus. Can he survive this latest lip flap? He is on Al Sharpton's show right now and we are listening in. There is more ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.
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NGUYEN: This just in to CNN. Don Imus apologizing for those comments he made last week. Right now he is appearing on Al Sharpton's radio show. I want to take a clip now from what is being said. As you know, Al Sharpton has been calling for his resignation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL SHARPTON, RADIO HOST: You call these people "nappy headed hos" but you wasn't talking racial when you said nappy. Jiggerbos and wannabes but you didn't understand what you were saying. You what, you blacked out?
DON IMUS, RADIO HOST: No. No. I didn't. I didn't say I didn't understand what we were saying. I said I wasn't thinking that. If somebody says jiggerbos and wannabes then my frame of reference is a Spike Lee film. But I'm not thinking that it is a racial insult that's being uttered at somebody. At the time. I think it's in the process of this -- what we're trying to rap and be funny. I understand it's not funny. I understand there is no excuse for it. I'm not pretending that there is. I'm wish I hadn't of said it. I'm sorry I said it but -- SHARPTON: Let me ask you this. Then we can talk about the things you want to talk about. If you realize that something must be done, why would you then feel that we are out of order to ask that you step aside?
IMUS: I didn't say that.
SHARPTON: Oh, you don't think we're out of order.
IMUS: No, sir.
SHARPTON: So you've come to sign your resignation?
IMUS: No, I'm not signing anything. I'm saying --
SHARPTON: You wanted to determine what ought to happen even though you are the one that did the wrong?
IMUS: I didn't say that either. I said you have the right to say and do whatever you want to do. What I want you to do and everybody else, everybody who is calling me a racist, everybody who is calling me a bigot, everybody who says I don't know anything about him, I heard people say I don't know what's in his heart, I don't know -- I never listened to his show but I want him fired. That's is an ill informed --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NGUYEN: Well we knew it would be heated and indeed it is. We've been listening to clips there from Al Sharpton's radio show calling for Don Imus to step down, at least resign from his post as radio show on the heels of Imus making really awful statements about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Calling them quote "nappy-headed hos." We'll hear much more about this at the top of the hour. In fact, we're going to listen to more from the radio show. Stay with us.
HUGHES: Alright. If you drive you know those gas prices have been going up. So, you want the good news or the bad news? Actually, there is no good news. Just bad news. I'm not going to give it to you. I'm going to let Susan Lisovicz give that you bad news. You do it.
(FINANCIAL REPORT)
HUGHES: Meanwhile, you folks out there love life, love can be tough sometimes. You think you got issues in your love life? Try having love in a war zone.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I sell more than ten packets of Viagra a day. Plus tonics to activate an erection. The psychological effects of the explosions, killing and dead bodies are affecting everyone.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HUGHES: Well, I'm glad it's cable. Baghdad's booming black market for the little blue pill and other quick fixes. That's ahead in the NEWSROOM.
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NGUYEN: A new vaccine is offering promising results in preventing childhood pneumonia. Since the vaccine came into use in 2000, pneumonia hospital admission rates for kids under two, have fallen 39 percent. Researchers at Vanderbilt University say the vaccine sold under the brand name Prevnar is exceeding expectations. It not only slashed pneumonia rates, it's also been shown to reduce the number of ear infections in kids. I had tons of those. Well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which funded the study, is now recommending it for all children.
And, coming up, in the next hour, how to live to be 100! Can dietary supplements get you there? Dr. Sanjay Gupta begins his weeklong series "Chasing Life". You are in the CNN NEWSROOM.
HUGHES: First, as we head to this break. I want to take a look at the Big Board. Stock market up a bit today, about 16 points now. We are watching it and you are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
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