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
Put a Buchanan in the White House, and you'll see just how bad a thing it could be.
Back him? No, not on this although his position has not changed and has been clear since he ran in 2000.
But call him a traitor?
NO WAY.
Are you calling him a traitor?
How utterly unoriginal.
One of the sadder sides of human nature.
Oh, we have seen it, we know exactly where we have seen this kind of stuff.
Exactly.
And it's about time people SPOKE up and said something to these fools who are calling Bush a traitor and asking for his impeachment.
Great post (jmo)
The fact that we are being invaded by people who openly say they are going to take this country or part of it, from us can not be argued. That doesn't stop some from lying and saying it isn't so.
Bush has spent more on border patrol personnel than his predecessors. And this is even true on an inflation adjusted basis.
If you think the result is more illegal immigrants got in, then you are advocating decreased funding for border security.
A. He is our president until January 20, 2008. I will pray for him every day until then.
B. Yes, this is an invasion. There is more to this invasion than GWB.
As long as an illegal immigrant can go back home, it is none of those.
Why was it wrong for the United States to have ethnically distinct servant caste consigned to menial work in the 1800s, but it's a fine idea in the 21st century?
I am sick of these crap
And they aren't winning anyone over with this BS
all they have manged to do is piss me off!
You know what - let's just say there really aren't...(I don't believe that but let's go along with this)...
The CEO of a Fortune 500 doesn't tell his employees he needs to outsource/insource because the employees won't work, blah blah blah...
Well, if he does, it is very elitist, patronizing, and demoralizing to the employees, especially if he repeats it on a daily basis! And on top of it, this "CEO/President" was hired by us and reports to us, supposedly.
I apologize.
Thanks for proving just how stupid you really are.
It remains to be seen what his SCOTUS appointments will do about the American elite's globalist impetus.
There are some that pay a coyote $1-2k, are "sold" to a "handler" that assumes their "contract", provides documents and housing, and extorts money daily. You may cho
ose to call it something other than slavery.
KEYWORDS: THEY PAY!
They choose to pay!
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