U.S. expects progress with Mexico on immigration next year

The News (Mexico City) ^ | October 28, 2002

[sarcasm]

LOS CABOS, Baja California Sur - U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said here Saturday that next year could see progress on an immigration accord between Mexico and the United States.

Powell and President George W. Bush were in this resort city to attend a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

"I think that some of the concerns that Americans have and the Congress has had with respect to migration issues, we might be in a better position next year to deal with their concerns and to move forward with our migration agenda," Powell told a press conference.

He said Bush and President Vicente Fox came into office "committed to migration reform," and that while "9/11 clearly slowed down the momentum," both "remain committed" and "reaffirmed that commitment" in talks Saturday morning.

Migration is a key issue for Mexico, as approximately 3.5 million Mexicans reside illegally in the United States, and more and more people are clamoring for an amnesty or other measures to legalize their status.

"We hope that as the effects of 9/11 pass and as we get back to a more normal life, and as we bring our homeland unto a firmer basis of security, we have a better idea of how to protect our homeland," Powell said.

The U.S. government opposes a blanket amnesty for illegal imigrants, but is studying a plan to normalize the immigration status of undocumented Mexicans who have been living in the United States for a long time and have no criminal record.

Another proposal under consideration is a "guest-worker" program based on fixed-term employment contracts, an idea aimed at discouraging Mexicans from risky attempts to cross the border illegally.

Powell said he planned to meet with his Mexican counterpart later this year to deal with such issues.

"Foreign Secretary Jorge Castañeda and I will be meeting in November with a binational commission and we will review the bidding at that time and see what we can do over the next year," he said.

At a session with the media earlier Saturday, Presidents Bush and Fox also addressed the immigration issue.

Bush said both countries are realistic about their differences on the issue, and that neither side has set a deadline for an immigration accord.

According to the U.S. president, "the long-term answer for the migration issue is to work a way that encourages commerce on both sides of the border, so people can find jobs here in Mexico."

In the short term, Bush said, "we have got to recognize that wage differentials are going to cause people to want to come to the United States. And when they come to the United States, we have got to work to make sure they are treated with respect."

[Texas_Jarhead]

WHO IN THE HELL IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE DAMN INTERESTS OF AMERICANS?

[sarcasm]

We don't count anymore.

[waxhaw]

I think our Founding Fathers' vision of "government of and for the people" has been lost. This is the second time, to my knowledge, that Bush has talked about "wage differentials" or "wage parity"; does he honestly believe that Fox or any other Mexican "elite" will consider for even a moment paying the Mexican working class a decent living wage? It is precisely this wage differential which has enabled Mexico to garner the bulk of the world's billionaires. On Fox's ranch in Guanajuato he has more than 40 children earning approximately $4.00 a day... of course, these kids and their parents are mainly indigenous; they don't look at all like Fox nor his ruling cabinet. I used to say that what Mexico needs is a good revolution... now I'm starting to think that the United States might benefit from one as well. It's becoming obvious that the majority of our elected representatives seemingly want to treat our citizens in the same manner Fox treats the laborers on his ranch.

[meenie]

If, and, or but still controls the agenda on Mexican immigration. We have so many more important things to take care of. Never mind that the Mexican border is a sieve that allow an influx of illegals from all parts of the world bent on doing us harm. We can chase terrorists and supposedly defend people all over the world but cannot defend ourselves. Is there something wrong with this picture?

[B4Ranch]

Migration is a key issue for Mexico, as approximately 3.5 million Mexicans reside illegally in the United States, and more and more people are clamoring for an amnesty or other measures to legalize their status.

That number is more like 15 million.

[AngryOne]

One of the very real threats that is always ignored by the mainstream media is what it actually costs when you start tabulating the bill for immigration policies. They wring their hands and decry "hateful" attitudes, and "bigoted" thinking, but when you add the bill, self preservation doesn't quite equal hatred.
In 1970, California was 77% "white", but by 1990 that percentage had dropped to 56%. It estimated that by 2010, well under 40% of the state will be "anglo". In some cities, such as Huntington Park and Montery Park, less than half the residents were even born in the U.S. During the 1980's, California received 2.3 million "legal" immigrants and unkown numbers of illegals. The contributing problem to this is they bring their "3rd world" birthrates with them. Hispanics have the highest lifetime fertility rates of anyone in California with over 4 children per woman, while whites average 1.7. It has been shown in some studies that the numbers are climbing to as high as 6.6 children per woman for the "3rd worlders". The birthrates are also shown to increase for immigrants once they reach America, obviously due to the higher quality of healthcare... and "free" to the new immigrants at that. As of 1992, if California maintained the same influx of immigrants with their corrosponding birthrates, the State would have to build a new school for 650 students per day... forever.
In 1991, of 44,000 births in L.A. County hospitals were to mothers who were illegal aliens. The medical costs for delivery alone exceeded $28 million. In L.A. County alone, in 1992, there were over 200,000 citizen children of illegal aliens collecting welfare. The county spent over $276 million, with an additional $140 million kicked in by the feds for welfare in 1991.
In 1990 there were 6.21 taxpayers for every welfare recipient. After the amensty act, it dropped to 3 taxpayers per recipient, and by 2000 it was 1.2 taxpayers per recipient. It is estimated that number could drop further by 2010 to 0.8 taxpayers per welfare recipient.
Every year the State of California spends between $345 to $540 million on Affirmative Action enforcement and development.
It's not just in California anymore either. In Pennsylvania, a hospital was recently threatened with the loss of $2.1 million in government subsidies if they didn't comply with staff hiring for non-english speaking patients. In Lewistown, Maine they have seen a recent influx of Somalis drain their own tax system. With the recent addition of over 1,200 Somalis, and over 120 arrivals via birth and immigration monthly, this small town has seen 3% of their population account for over 46% of all welfare costs.
And they ask us to celebrate diversity. It has been written that; "Valuing diversity is a hobby for those who do not have to endure it's benefits."

[bandleader]

Why Wait,Let's get Started NOW!!!

[skeeter]

Send Tom Tancredo a check.

[Fraulein]

bump

[Sabertooth]

According to the U.S. president, "the long-term answer for the migration issue is to work a way that encourages commerce on both sides of the border, so people can find jobs here in Mexico."

In the short term, Bush said, "we have got to recognize that wage differentials are going to cause people to want to come to the United States. And when they come to the United States, we have got to work to make sure they are treated with respect."

In the short term, we have got to recognize that President Bush still doesn't get it.

[WRhine]

In the short term, Bush said, "we have got to recognize that wage differentials are going to cause people to want to come to the United States. And when they come to the United States, we have got to work to make sure they are treated with respect."

In the short term, we have got to recognize that President Bush still doesn't get it.

You are right Tooth, he doesn't. I too referenced the above statement on another thread as proof that nothing has changed with the Bush Administration's Open Borders/Unlimited Immigration Agenda. Bush has made this clear over and over again.

Despite the uproar over illegal immigration throughout the country he would rather put the interests of illegal aliens ABOVE the interests of the American People.

Well, all I can say is that those Illegal Hispanic Votes that Bush and the GOP crave (at the expense of AMERICAN CITIZENS) better come in for them in 2004 because they are going to find that a good part of the GOP base will have other things to do on election day.

I mean, what can one say about a President that refuses to uphold his sworn constitutional duties to enforce our nations laws and defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic?

BTW, I happened to catch part of Bill O'Reilly's talk show today and he really gave the administration and both parties Hell on this. Our So-Called Leaders better start listening because this issue is not going to go away and people are absolutely fed up with it. Just listening to the calls you can feel the anger out there.

[Stop Legal Plunder]

What can American citizens do about all the illegal aliens in our country? Where do we begin?

[OXENinFLA]

U.S. expects progress with Mexico on immigration next year

Oh come now. We must be PC and stop calling it Immigration, it is now MIGRATION .

Pardon me whilst I slam my head into a brick wall.

[SUSSA]

The Mexican aren't even siding with the U.S. in the U.N. Security Counsel. They are siding with Iraq. The only progress we should make with them on immigration is a mine field from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Let their criminals try to cross that.

[janetgreen]

What can American citizens do about all the illegal aliens in our country? Where do we begin?

Demand that border and immigration laws be enforced. Demand that stiff fines be imposed on businesses who hire illegal aliens. Demand an end to the free-for-all social services being handed to illegal aliens (in California they get everything). Demand deportation for illegal aliens. We were doing quite well before they came, and will do quite well after they leave. Demand that those wanting to come to this country apply legally and wait their turn.

Make our voices heard to the ones we elected. They are not doing their jobs, and are turning their backs on American taxpayers.

[MissAmericanPie]

Your compassionate conservative President?

[A CA Guy]

I can only think that the President and most in leadership must feel if we closed the borders that starvation and unrest would happen in Mexico.
That could be true, but Mexico needs to fix Mexico and not expect to suckle at our Government nipple.