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
Suddenly that cheap lettuce doesn't seem so cheap, does it?
Vote to stop illegal immigration by turning on your car headlights all day on April 19th.
I agree.
He's starting to make Clinton look good. Well, maybe not.
If it weren't for strawmen, they wouldn't be able to agrue with anyone at all.
right
Reagan was a son of the Midwest as am I.. you don't get much more humble. ;-)
In his later years , he probably experienced many of the same heart palpitations you and I experience here at FR's podium to the world as he addressed Republican conventions as a speaker and as a nominee for President.
There are some things that people become part of whether they like it or not or whether they choose to be part of it or not. Some call it fate, others destiny.
If one looks at the collective history of his work, he was not perfect by any means and he knew it, he could be and was manipulated and backstabbed by friends and foes alike along the way, yet somehow he managed to win a few for all of us along the way as well, a few big ones.
It's hard to say how many years he saved us from facing what we now confront today and in the future may find ourselves unwilling partners in, but in the end, it likely won't really matter. I can live with that, not happily maybe but.. ;-)
Sad, really - coming on the 25th Anniversary of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.
Triple bump to that.
Great comment! Too bad the RNC, White House, Senate & House Repubs just can't see that scenario coming. Maybe if the 2006 elections cause the loss of the Repub Senate or House, they might wake up to the fact that once again, the Repub national leaders have betrayed the majority conservative base that put them in power... and now they are once again the minority party.
You are a fool.
That is not supposition that is fact.
You are a fool.
If you want to ban me then that is your right.
If I had the power to ban you,I would; people like you are an embarassment to this site. Good Freepers are turning away from this site because you whackjobs have taken it over with your StormFront tactics and you "all or nothing" attitudes and they don't want to be seen associating with people who make idiotic statements like you just made.
You know that is really how it works, I know because I know a handler(your term), so how did you find out.
Appreciate the post. I would never call for Bush's impeachment, although I came close to tears today over this little meeting between these three.
I regret where our nation is headed. I dred the 2008 election, because I do not see a strong leader in our future. I shudder the thought of a McCain and Clinton or Kerry ticket because I could never vote for ANY of them. McCain is no Republican NOR a conservative by any stretch of the imagination.
This country has been sold down the river and it wasn't GWB that did it. He just happens to be on post when the water has reached boil.
"Mexican and Central American men, women, and children are trafficked into the United States for forced labor and sexual exploitation."
http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Mexico.htm
Amen! Have a good night.
You are part of the problem not the solution.
Well some of us are fed up you
Are you serious? What do you expect him to do, ignore the leaders of the two countries who surround us? Do you honestly think that will do any good?
I shudder the thought of a McCain and Clinton or Kerry ticket because I could never vote for ANY of them. McCain is no Republican NOR a conservative by any stretch of the imagination.
FGS, get a grip. Thinking like that will only help the liberals.
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