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
Why don't we "Gringo's" invade Mixico enmasse anddemand similar welfare and status? Afterall, wouldn't that be fair.
Where's Ike when you need him? Somehow I can't picture foreign diplomats butting in US domestic affairs with the general in charge.
They already have a legal status - they are unlawful.
Message to Mexican Diplomat...Battery Adjust...Shell ICM-DP...Army 500 rounds...At My Command!
Uh ... excuse me, ... we ALREADY HAVE a method for obtaining legal status - try this out for size:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/
Who do you think they would vote for? Something tells me that the majority of illegals here are not Republicans. Buy hey, we'll sell you votes for cheap labor. Deal!(sarcasm)
"Somehow I can't picture foreign diplomats butting in US domestic affairs with the general in charge."
You got that right. In Korea, he convinced the Chinese he was going to use nukes---without actually saying anything. That really helped end the war.
> Mexican Diplomat wants legal status for All its Citizens in the U.S.<
As we used to say back in the '40's, isn't that just "too too?"
Really all the diplomat needs in order for all Mexico's citizens who are in US to gain legal status is to bundle them all up and take them back to MEXICO!
Oh, tell me about it! Everyday, we watch those Canuks, standing on the street corners by the dozen, chasing down cars for jobs screaming, EH! EH! EH! , insulting our women, waving their maple leaf flags all over. They think we don’t understand their lingo, but we’re learning! I actually heard some of them talking about [gasp] HOCKEY! They’re easy to spot though, what with that disjoined head thing. Must be 30, 40 million of ‘em.
Just think about the insanity of that statement! It sums up the entire problem.
If YOUR citizens are so good for OUR economy, how come they're no good for Mexico? Mexicos rulers are a bunch of corrupt, racist bigots. Just like the ones in our own country telling us that same old lie.
We, the underclass, are as dispensible as Mexicos. I'm sure it hasn't gotten by any of you when the OBL constantly refers to we "anti illegals" as trailer trash, rednecks, lazy, stupid, well I could go on. They are BIGOTS against all we know as AMERICA. Liberal bigots. They can claim to be conservatives all they want. It's a lie. Kruchev said they'd destroy us without a shot. They'd fill our schools, our industry and government. Don't think for a moment they haven't invaded the internet and the Republican party.
Why wasn’t the guy arrested for aiding and abetting criminals? Oh Diplomatic immunity from another country?
Well, to hear Mexicans or Bush you'd think everyone from Mexico has "diplomatic immunity". I'd like to see LEO go after these matricular consular wagons that set up all over the country by the Mexican government to hand out ID cards.
Senor Derbez, I want 20,000 tax free pesos per year each (and also a free house on the Mazatlan beachfront for me), gratis from Mexico.
If I sneak over your border with 10 million American buddies, will you give it to us?
Until then, go pound sand.
What a joke this article is! This guy is nuts. Why should we make the ILLEGALS here legal? They are here unlawfully. And who would want to make Mexico a target because they are next the US? Hmmm. No one. What a joke.
Who wants to make them all legal?? President George W. Bush. He says so every time he talks about his. According to the plan, legislation introduced by Cronyn to erase the borders.
Senate Bill 2941.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.2941:
Highlights:
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of the Fund shall be-- (1) to promote economic and infrastructure integration among Canada, Mexico, and the United States;
(2) to promote education and economic development in Mexico; and
(3) to reduce the wealth gap between Mexico and Canada, and between Mexico and the United States.
More: SEC. 4. PROJECTS FUNDED.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Fund shall make grants for projects to carry out the purposes described in section 3, including projects-- (1) to construct roads in Mexico to facilitate trade between Mexico and Canada, and Mexico and the United States; (2) to develop and implement post-secondary education programs in Mexico; (3) to install telecommunications technologies throughout Mexico; and (4) to construct other infrastructure that will carry out such purposes.
More:
SEC. 5. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND.
(a) IN GENERAL- The terms of the agreement establishing the Fund shall, subject to the limitation in subsection (b), require the Governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States to contribute to the Fund.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Support our Minutemen Patriots!
Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!
We need to remind them we didn't have to stop at the Rio Grande.
Our southern border could easily be Belize.
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