Posted on 05/14/2005 11:39:27 AM PDT by AllieOop
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Vicente Fox called recent U.S. measures to stem illegal immigration a step back for bilateral relations on Friday and said Mexican migrants do jobs "that not even blacks want to do."
In comments likely to raise the temperature of the immigration debate, Fox defended the role of undocumented Mexican workers in the United States to a group of Texas business people meeting in Mexico.
"There is no doubt that Mexicans, filled with dignity, willingness and ability to work are doing jobs that not even blacks want to do there in the United States," he said in a speech broadcast in part on local radio and reported on newspaper web sites.
Fox said recent, tougher measures against immigrants do not represent "the road we should be building between friends and partners."
Mexico has been seeking an accord with Washington for years to make it easier for millions of illegal Mexican immigrants to live and work in the United States. The country expects to repatriate this year more than 250,000 foreigners, mostly Central Americans headed for the U.S. border.
Mexican hopes were raised early last year when President Bush proposed a temporary worker program but it has become bogged down in Congress.
A key partner in U.S. border security, Mexico is upset at new U.S. controls on foreign-born people, including tougher rules to obtain drivers' licenses.
Congressional Republicans attached the immigration changes to legislation providing $82 billion in emergency funds for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush is expected to sign the legislation into law soon.
The law, approved unanimously by the Senate on Tuesday, waives environmental rules to allow the extension of a fence on the border between California and Mexico to stop illegal immigrants. Mexico calls the measure "overly extreme."
But Fox said he was encouraged by a bill put forward on Thursday by Sens. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, and Edward Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, to allow some of the estimated 10 to 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States to get legal jobs and eventual citizenship.
"I hope President Bush will support and push the initiative, as he has publicly agreed. I have to take his word and hope he delivers," Fox said.
Well, you can say, "At least Fox has a plan". He is a classless prick. But, you all know I really think a lot of Bush, but what is his position, as an American, to deal with the border problem? Can anyone enunciate it?
I hope you're right (for America's sake).
I think you both know in your hearts that more is afoot than the dynastic ones would like us to be aware of. I don't believe they consider us any more than expendable pawns for their manipulations toward world statehood.
As Arthur Conan Doyle used to say: When all possible explanations don't suffice what remains must be the truth.
Well, I can't speak for other Bush fans, but I think that I would be glad if he would tell us...
The fact that he seems so "wishy-washy" where border control is concerned, especially compared to his forceful stance on fighting terrorism, is one of the most confusing things about him to me...
But, after hearing a reporter on O'Reilly last night say that in Arizona, where he writes for a paper, that almost ALL of the business owners would be furious if the borders were closed, it is kinda easy to see what his position is...
After all, he is a pro-business capitalist...
Hmmm ... no, but I can guess .....
I am 100% convinced of that, NRT. History will not be kind to the Bush family.
Funny, but if the media sticks to this Fox racism story, it might impact the mayor's race.
bttt
Okay, I'm on a budget anyway. ;-]
That's right. They're starting to talk the talk but they won't walk the walk when it comes down to it. The number one rule of politics is to kow-tow to "minorities."
Don't worry...we got those clowns outnumbered 1000 to 1.
Now, does anybody actually think Mexico is attempting to help the US with border security by trying to intercept "Terrorists"? No.
They have no desire to secure the border AT ALL. How the hell can they stop terrorists when they allow unchecked illegal immigration into our country?
Mexico is anti-US.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.