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
This country has doubled in population since I was a kid. Immigration is increasing. Before long it will have doubled again. Yes it will become 1 Billion and not in that long a time frame.
My husband wrote a college paper in the 70's on the grapeworkers strikes and the living condition of these workers. It was pretty deplorable and squalid. These same employers seek an ever lower wage to pay to the masses around the world who are happy to work for the wages an American won't work for. This is clearly an attack on the middle class and the quality of life of legal Americans.
Yep end, game , match.
Whatever happened to deportation of illegals who commit crimes when they complete their sentences?
I can't think of a crummy job that I haven't done or that "Americans won't do."
I have shoveled out chick coops, milk barns, horse stalls with a wooden handled shovel. I've cleaned toilets, made beds, I still wash the pots after dinner in our home so my wife won't have to do it. When I was a youngster I washed pots in restaruant, so I do know how to do the work.
I'll make a bed or dump the trash. The one job I don't do is the laundry. The Mrs. won't let me get anywhere near that room. LOL. There's a story about that situation.
We don't want people "sneaking" into our country "period" and for good reason.
Perhaps we need a nuclear scientists to fill open positions.
Perhaps, middle eastern candidates in our country "illegally" should be given amnesty?
Our federal governments primary concern is and should be national defense and to belittle the laws in place with illegals only shows a lack of concern for our national defense via lax laws on immigration.
I don't think we deport much of anyone anymore for any reason.
I have a new mantra.
"Bush lead us. Tell us what jobs Americans won't do."
indeed - that's how our economy used to work - we used technology to increase productivity and reduce the need for labor. why hasn't anyone invented an automated lettuce picker? why bother, when migrant farm workers can be had for $30 a day. why can't I pull up to a Wendy's drive thru and enter my own order on a touch screen like ATM screen? why do we need some dude talking to me to take my order through a microphone/speaker system?
Of all the issues for him to dig his heels in on.
"I can't think of a crummy job that I haven't done or that "Americans won't do." "
When a 15 year old is trying to enter the minimum wage market andis pushed aside for anillegal or told they must speak Spanish to ge the job why would that American 15 year old work the job?
They've ruined the market and now claim that no American wants the jobs.
Wow! "it's not much different from African slaves picking cotton" - tell that to those who have been in the U.S. for 25 yrs and have 3 kids aged 14, 17 and 22 who are all U.S. citizens with the oldest a West Point grad - no different, huh?
I don't trust Savage one bit. I'm not saying he is incorrect, and I will be highly distrubed if what he said is true.
But he takes so much liberty with the truth, and he gave Chukie Schumer a big sloppy BJ a few weeks back I just about puked.
Really? Would you care to post the annual total numbers of illegal immigrants who have busted across the border since, say 1988?
"The president has done a better job on the borders than his predecessors".
Bush's predecessors have done nothing but make sure the floodgates were wide open.
Bush has had five years to get things under control and has done nothing but to insure that the floodgates stayed wide open.
You say, "Bush is doing a super job on this".
Doing a super job on what, giving the country away?
Please cite for me the "wage" paid to African slaves.
As a nation, we are in complete meltdown.
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