Fox urges migration talks, U.S. message mixed

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | November 27, 2002 | SUSAN FERRISS

[sarcasm]

MEXICO CITY -- President Vicente Fox told Bush administration officials Tuesday it was "indispensable" to revive talks toward a comprehensive migration accord between Mexico and the United States.

After a two-day meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials in Mexico City, however, Secretary of State Colin Powell offered mixed messages on migration, explaining that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have set back negotiations.

"There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that this is a priority for President Bush, just as it is a priority for President Fox, and that we're doing everything we can to move forward. But we have to be realistic about the changes that have occurred over the last 14 months," Powell said at a closing press conference on Tuesday of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission

"I want to assure the Mexican people that (migration) is not off our agenda," Powell added.

Fox is under pressure at home to show results from his overtures to the United States to jointly develop an accord. He has pushed for legal status for some of the estimated 3 million or more undocumented Mexicans working in the United States, and a new program for temporary work visas.

Fox and Bush met in Guanajuato, Mexico, in early 2001, and made a commitment to address illegal migration, a phenomenon both presidents agreed boosted the U.S. economy but resulted in too many deaths of Mexicans at the border.

"In Guanajuato, we reached an extraordinary conceptual advance on this theme, although the tragic events of Sept. 11 have required making a priority of security themes and postponing solutions to other important themes on the bilateral agenda," Fox said. "Now it's indispensable to retake this spirit of Guanajuato and advance the establishment of a framework that regulates and give some order to the migration phenomenon between both countries."

In a taped video message to Fox and cabinet members, Bush briefly addressed migration.

"U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity," he said. "Our cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe."

Bush also thanked Mexico for its support on a recent United Nations Security Council resolution to hold Iraq accountable for allowing weapons inspections. And he noted that the new U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, is one of his "most trusted amigos."

On Tuesday, Powell said that he and his counterpart Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda did not discuss a timetable for a migration agreement.

"It's not something we have to finish before or after anyone's administration," Powell said.

Negotiations now face new complexities, Powell said, because the United States has a new Homeland Security Department and new congressional leadership.

But Powell said that within the next six months to a year Mexico and the United States will develop a list of priorities on migration and decide which can be addressed more easily.

Powell said one of the "challenges in the years ahead" will be "to find a way to regularize this (undocumented Mexican) population, so they can be fully integrated into our society, or put in a situation where they can return to Mexico and come back to the United States."

During their meeting, officials of both countries talked about a possible farm crisis in Mexico and the large water debt that Mexico owes the United States along the Rio Grande River. No details on the water talks were released.

Officials also discussed $25 million earmarked for increasing the number of special lanes to help speed the flow of goods and people moving between the U.S.-Mexico border.

Talks about the farm issue centered on the elimination in January of tariffs on most farm products exchanged between the United States and Mexico, a change mandated by the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

Castaneda said Tuesday Mexican officials are analyzing the impact of tariff elimination, and could invoke special safeguards for certain products -- like chicken or pork -- if imports endanger farmers too much.

U.S. Undersecretary of Agriculture J.B. Penn, speaking to U.S. reporters Monday, said the United States is "eager" to work with Mexico to spur rural development and alternatives for Mexican farmers who can't compete.

He also said many U.S. farm companies back the idea of a migration accord.

"It's my sense," Penn said, "that there is a distinct labor shortage at a given price in the U.S. farming and food industry, and that the industry would like to see a legal, stable, reasonably priced labor supply. They would like to see some accommodation reached between the two governments that would make that happen."

[RLK]

Fox and Bush met in Guanajuato, Mexico, in early 2001, and made a commitment to address illegal migration, a phenomenon both presidents agreed boosted the U.S. economy but resulted in too many deaths of Mexicans at the border.

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Basically Shrub and Fox are in agreement while mobs invade over our borders. Fox raises issues and complains to make it look as if he's not getting his way.

[sarcasm]

This is the most important quote:

"It's my sense," Penn said, "that there is a distinct labor shortage at a given price in the U.S. farming and food industry, and that the industry would like to see a legal, stable, reasonably priced labor supply

There is no labor shortage in the United States - only a shortage of "cheap" labor.

[Joe Boucher]

Hey Vinney baby, your stinking country must really have some serious problems what with millions trying to get the hell out. Sort of like the old Soviet Union, millions clammering to leave.
You have some gaul to try to dictate to us how we should let your uneducated masses come here.

[RLK]

How did the United State survive all the years before tens of thousands of Mexicans per week came over the border to invade Texas and California?

[Kakaze]

" "U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity," he said. "Our cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe." "

Ahhhh NO...we must treat citizenship and alleigance with respect the border hopping workers have neither they only want cash, no fedelity just one goal.........me. The problem we have is that we allow people to use our freedoms and ask nothing in return.........become a citzen or stay home.

[RLK]

I hate being lied to. I hate people who lie to me. Fox is lieing to me. Bush is lieing to me and always has been. The entire business reeks of deception. I have absolutely no use for either of them.

[healey22]

In a taped video message to Fox and cabinet members, Bush briefly addressed migration. "U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity," he said. "Our cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe."

I will never respect anyone who advocates that it's ok to break the law and then our President announces to the lawbreakers that the United States should show them respect and dignity for their lawbreaking. Has the world turned upside down? I would like President Bush to explain to us mothers of America who have children and are trying to set a good example, why our President makes such statements about lawbreakers and then wants to reward them. Yes, bad is good. Wrong is right and the world has turned upside down.

[RLK]

Hey Vinney baby, your stinking country must really have some serious problems what with millions trying to get the hell out.

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Mexico has a sever overpopulation problem and no economy of any seriousness. Fox needs to export 3,000,000 to the U. S. to break even. He also needs the industry in California and Texas, as well as the land. For Bush's part, he has some sort of obsession with hispanics.

[RLK]

"It's my sense," Penn said, "that there is a distinct labor shortage at a given price in the U.S. farming and food industry, and that the industry would like to see a legal, stable, reasonably priced labor supply

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Most of these people don't work farms. Parts of california and Texas are being overwhelmed with Mexicans who have barely even seen an American farm.

[Lion's Cub]

I agree with you. Bush might as well take down the stars and stripes and hoist the Mexican flag over the White House.

I'm sick of his continual sellout of everything American to constantly promote non-American cultures. And I'm sick of him robbing all Americans of everything they ever earned to hand it over to foriegners, period. He gives it to the UN, to all our enemies, and fights to send more and more jobs overseas while letting more and more foriegners in to steal and destroy everything we and previous generations built.

[sarcasm]

How did the United State survive all the years before tens of thousands of Mexicans per week came over the border to invade Texas and California?

I guess you don't remember the severe lettuce and strawberry shortages.

[RLK]

I guess you don't remember the severe lettuce and strawberry shortages.

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Not in more than 60 years I don't.

[BillyBoy]

>> Bush briefly addressed migration. "U.S. migration policies must treat Mexican men, women and children with respect and dignity," he said. "Our cabinet officials continue to work together on creative new policies, so that immigration is legal, orderly and safe." <<

Really George? Then what about THIS little provision that your amigo Vincente wants?

Section (i)245-- INS information
Our immigration laws allow qualified individuals to enter the United States as lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) after they obtain immigrant visas from a consulate or embassy outside the United States or, for many immigrants already lawfully in the United States, through a process called “adjustment of status" .” If you entered the United States unlawfully, if you entered with permission but did not stay in lawful status, or if you worked without permission, you normally would have to leave the United States in order to apply for an immigrant visa. Special rules under section 245(i) may allow you to apply to adjust status without leaving the United States.

[sarcasm]

Then what about THIS little provision that your amigo Vincente wants?

Bush wants the provision extended.

[RLK]

Bush wants the provision extended. I don't want Bush extended.

[Area51]

Jorge Delano Bush will come to regret his administration's failure at protecting our Southern Border. It will only get worse if he grants amnesty to the Illegals already here. This is a boil that will only fester under his lack of peforming his Constitutional Duty of Protecting Americans from the invasion.


It will cost his severely in 04! I wouldn't doubt a 3rd party candidate will enter the Campaign and do to him what Perot did to his daddy in 92.

[RLK]

Jorge Delano Bush will come to regret his administration's failure at protecting our Southern Border.

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I don't believe Bush has the brains or temperament to regret anything.I've seen asparagus with more profound mental functioning than he has.

[Chi-Town Lady]

"Bush wants the provision extended. I don't want Bush extended."

Not trying to be mean here but put your money where your mouth is. Send a fax or e-mail to GWB and tell him those exact words. I sent him one the other day and said that if he doesn't stop these hordes of illegals invading our country that he'll never be reelected in 2004. You have to keep the pressure up and not just to those of us here on FR that agree with you. Also another good site is NUMBERSUSA.com. They really keep a close eye on immigration issues and e-mail you with up-dates. You can also fax your representatives from that site and let them know how you feel about immigration. Unless we make A LOT of noise we're fighting a losing battle.

[B Knotts]

Today, on his News & Commentary, Paul Harvey compared our illegal immigration problem to the famous Trojan Horse that the Greeks used to attack Troy from within.

You can listen to his commentary by visiting his web site:

http://www.paulharvey.com/

Click on the Wednesday Noon show (requires RealPlayer). The commentary is at approximately 7:02.