Posted on 03/30/2006 6:00:20 PM PST by NormsRevenge
CANCUN, Mexico - With Mexican President Vicente Fox at his side, President Bush gave Congress a long-distance push Thursday to open the United States to immigrant workers who have been sneaking across the borders to fill low-paying jobs.
"We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do," Bush said at the end of a private meeting with Fox, where the issue was on top of the agenda. "We want them coming in in an orderly way, which will take pressure off both our borders."
The meeting between the Mexican and U.S. leaders came on the first day of a two-day North American summit that also includes Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Harper, meeting with Bush for the first time since taking office two months ago with the promise of building stronger ties with Washington, said the two countries are moving past their "tension" over Iraq.
Still, he took a combative stance on their long-standing dispute over U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber, saying Canada would "pursue all its legal options" if he and Bush can't work out an agreement.
But it was the immigration debate, which has dominated the U.S. Senate this week, that took center stage in talks conducted in a beachfront resort surrounded by bikini-clad spring breakers. A new immigration law could affect as many as 6 million Mexicans living illegally in the United States — about half of all those who are estimated to have sneaked in from other countries seeking new opportunities they can't find at home.
Bush is pushing for a guest worker program that would let foreigners in low-paying jobs stay temporarily, which Fox says is a good first step toward some form of legal status for all Mexican illegal immigrants.
The issue has united the two leaders, whose friendship dates back to Bush's time as Texas governor but was strained over Fox's objections to the war in Iraq. But immigration has divided Bush's Republican party, with business interests who want cheap labor battling conservatives who want a get-tough policy against illegal immigrants.
Fox suggested the issue is largely out of their hands now.
"The matter is in the Congress of the United States and that is where the decision will be made," Fox said. "It is no longer between President Bush and President Fox."
But both leaders were clearly trying to sway the debate.
"I told the president there is a legislative process that's going forward," Bush said. "And that it may look cumbersome to some, but that's how our democracy works."
Bush added, "I'm optimistic that we can get a bill done."
The summit included plenty of time to be neighborly. The three leaders dressed casually in open-collared shirts and strolled together among the ancient Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza before sitting down for more intense one-on-one meetings. Fox planned a lavish dinner for his guests.
After spending the morning sightseeing, Bush had a few hours off before the formal meetings began. He used part of the time to work up a sweat in his hotel's gym.
There was tight security despite the fun-loving atmosphere generated by college students who have flocked to Cancun for spring break. Gunboats patrolled the turquoise waters off Bush's spa resort, and fencing kept out all but hotel guests. "I'd like to make sure you work more than you play," Bush joked to reporters.
The trilateral meeting was expected to be Fox's last, since he is set to leave office this year because of term limits. Bush lauded Fox for stabilizing the Mexican economy and improving the net worth of his people.
"That's important for the American economy as well," Bush said. "The more net worth there is in Mexico, the more likely it is the Mexican may be wanting to buy a U.S. product. And vice versa, by the way."
In his meeting with Harper, Bush sought to make the newly elected leader look good at home, making it a point to stress how hard the Canadian leader had pressed him on the softwood lumber issue. Harper "made an emphatic case," Bush said.
"I appreciate his steely resolve to get something done," the president said. "I appreciate your pushing."
But Bush didn't give Harper much of substance, saying only that "my intent is to negotiate in good faith and a timely fashion to resolve this issue."
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On the Net:
U.S. Trade Representative: http://www.ustr.gov
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
Like I said, if you can't take it, don't dish it out.
Sorry. I'm watching Laura Geller on QVC!
I agree that he would know the situtation well down there
It is intersting how some of them dems are reacting to this
Vigilante:
"somebody who punishes lawbreakers personally and illegally rather than relying on the legal authorities"
Are those delicato ovalatos in Fox's shirt pocket?
The average illegal costs us about $55,000 per year....just do the math. A wall is cheap!
Thanks, I pretty much agree with you.
The borders must be sealed.
That has to happen first.
But of course don't you realize that is the primary function of government that must come before defense and national security? /sarcasm
People making citizens arrest aren't "interferring" with policing.
I'd just as soon my money go there.
Right, and Bush is not about shirking his responsibilities. He's made that clear time and time again when asked.
Last estimate for Israel's wall is $2 million per kilometer. And that is just to build it. Their wall will only be 416 miles long. It is currently only one third of the way complete and costs have doubled from initial estimates. Our international borders are over 5000 miles long and much of the land that would be used is privately owned.
"Sure it would cost in the billions, but compare that to the social services expenses that the nation incurs every year due to illegals."
How about we just deny illegals access to our social services.
MALDEF types are.
ReutersWed Dec 14, 2005
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Vicente Fox denounced as "disgraceful and shameful" on Wednesday a proposal to build a high-tech wall on the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigrants.
LOL! And we won't even have to worry about what COLOR to make them, as I'm sure they have spray cans on hand!
The tactic will be to compare the proposed wall to the one in East Germany. There will be advertisments everywhere with Reagan saying "...tear down this wall".
Of course, it won't be mentioned that the East German wall was meant to keep people in against their will while ours will be to keep people out that don't enter through legal channels.
I'm not opposed to the damn wall, which doesn't make me a MALDEF.
Worse. They're embarrassing the politicians
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