Posted on 12/09/2005 4:03:42 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Mexico's top diplomat said here Thursday that his nation wants to see Washington undertake an immigration reform extending legal status to "all the Mexicans in the U.S."
The time has come to debate that reform, "without passion, but with reason, because it mutually suits us," Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez said in Chicago, home to a burgeoning Mexican community.
Mexico will continue pointing out to U.S. authorities the need for such an accord, he told business and civic leaders at a breakfast organized by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
He reminded his audience that since taking office in December 2000, Mexican President Vicente Fox has pressed Washington for legalization of all Mexicans living north of the border, immigration policies favoring family reunification and a pact on guest workers.
Up to 5 million Mexicans are estimated to be living and working in the United States without a visa or Green Card.
Derbez, who arrived in Chicago late Wednesday, had earlier raised the immigration question with city Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, both Democrats.
The governor said after an hour-long meeting with the Mexican official that Illinois does not discriminate against undocumented immigrants, and hailed "the great contribution" made to the state's economy by its 1.5 million Mexican residents.
Derbez acknowledged the U.S. need for a "secure border" in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, noting that Mexico could itself be a target of terrorism because of its proximity to the United States.
He said Mexican authorities do not regard cooperation with Washington on security concerns as an "imposition," but rather as a function "of being partners."
The diplomat told Chicago businessmen that an immigration accord would make Mexico "more competitive internationally."
"It will give us the chance to create more social benefits for our people. Without an accord, immigration will continue as it has until now, without order," Derbez said.
One of those present, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Jim Oberweis, suggested in a question-and-answer period following Derbez's speech that creating jobs would be a better solution.
Oberweis made battling illegal immigration the centerpiece of his failed 2004 campaign for the Republican nomination for one of Illinois' two seats in the U.S. Senate, gaining in the process the enmity of immigrants' rights groups in the state.
Mexico's ambassador to the United States, Carlos de Icaza, said his government supports a bill proposed by Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) that would open the doors to legalization for many, if not most, Mexican immigrants.
The key difference between the McCain-Kennedy measure and the guest-worker program put forward by Republican President George W. Bush is that the Senate bill includes workable provisions for immigrants to obtain citizenship or permanent legal residence, while the administration plan does not.
While Icaza was careful to also describe the Bush proposal in positive terms, he insisted a more comprehensive solution is needed.
"The U.S. economy needs the Mexican workforce to be able to prosper," the envoy said. "A just law should recognize the contribution of Mexican immigrants to the economy of the U.S." EFE
"A just law should recognize the contribution of Mexican immigrants to the economy of the U.S."
Mexico's relative prosperity is greatly dependent on the US for its markets, for factories built there which serve US markets, for tourism, for retirees living there, for businesses and homes built by Mexicans living in the US, and the billions sent home by Mexicans living in the US.
So, again, is he prepared to reciprocate with legal status for US citizens in Mexico?
"The U.S. economy needs the Mexican workforce to be able to prosper,"
If he believes that US prosperity is due to cheap labor, will he recommend that Mexico open its borders to Honduran and Guatemalan workers?
"Way too low!"
Conservative estimate is over 10,000,000. Wet back sand ticks!
From what I've been reading, W endorses this policy as well.
Verrrry interesting. The mexican government will not allow any gringos to work at a mexican corporation without a Gov't Issued Work Permit. But we are suppose to legalize all illegals...unbelievable.
Yeah, and I want all those illegals deported. But tell you what, pal: I'm a reasonable man. I'll support the giving of legal status to illegal mexican immigrants under the following condition: that for each illegal alien given legal status, El Presidente Vincent Fox has to eat 10 worms while walking on a tightrope suspended above the Grand Canyon on an internationally televised Fear Factor.
Ummm, I think he already has.
ping
Pretty soon the illegals from the south will be outnumbered by the estimated 12,000 illegal Canadians the OBL is so concerned about.
Why dont we just make Mexico a state and be done with it?
Sure they want us to make any Mexican crossing over a citizen because the biggest part of their income comes from the poor bastards working here and sending money home, Plus the ones coming across carry Mexican drugs over like a Pizza Delivery boy.
"Mutually" must mean something else in Spanish.
By about 30 million.
Somebody has been hittin' the "happy smoke" again.
Ok Here is the only deal availiable! We deport back to your Tin Horn Country all we catch so you can get legal papers on them. Then we decide who gets in. You do all the paperwork and make sure they get registered on our tax rolls so they can help pay their fair share of expenses. We will make sure none of our companies hire any undocumented criminal illegal aliens that slip by your system. The coyotes are very hungry so make sure they are legal taxpaying citizens!
Works for me.
I don't care what he wants. His countrymen are here illegally and should be deported post haste. They can come here through legal means or not at all. Makes me not one whit of difference.
"legal status?"
Okay. Let's officially designate them
hostages and designate Mexican diplomats
pay toilet attendants.
Yeah, and I want a house made out of gold!
Someone should ask why they leave Mexico in the first place and what is this azclown Derbez doing to remedy it. And secondly we do not need cheap labor we need citizens.
Illinois, by not discriminating against "undocumented immigrants," discriminates against every US citizen.
Who has sued the state to enforce the law? Anyone?
Fixing this problem is going to get very, very nasty. But, the problem must get fixed! And damn soon!
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