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
Fox is an evil man, I don't care what country he represents. Right now he represents a nice chunk of our country, due to an invasion! The tone was not good today.
Granted, in 2008, one can hope McCain is forced to withdraw shortly after the primaries begin. But WHO will step to the plate and get the job done???
Are you a Bircher? Your vocabulary is reminiscent of The New American.
Michael Savage is a puke.
He hates everybody at one time or another.
TANCREDO 08!
Yesterday one of them brought up the $15 a head lettuce canard. When called on it, he claimed it was a "metaphor".
But Bush is not a conservative--his fiscal socialism alone proves that.
Who do you think you're kidding? You've driven more people off FR with your nasty attitude than any other poster.
Tough!!!!!!!!!
Is that all you can post?
Through spamming that sick little currency graphic?
That's what I'm afraid of, but I'd like to hear the entire context of what he actually said.
You noticed.
I live in Texas. There are some people that have had blinders on for the last 20 years. This is not a new problem, and people have been making money off of the mestizos for years. "Human capital". A coyote and a handler are the lowest form of human being. Making a profit from misery. The government of Mexico is directly responsible for this. Not President Bush, not congress, and certainly not we the people. Our policies for the last 5 administrations have been misguided. NAFTA was a band-aid applied to an arterial bleed. At least there is more dialog nationwide. The extremists on both sides are resorting to hysterics and name calling. The phrase about jobs that Americans WON'T do is very unhelpful. I just can not seem to find the Amalgamated Coyote Exterminators local listed in the yellow pages. Nasty work, but I know many Americans willing to do it.
Yes, interesting that a whole flock of them showed up within the last 50 or so postings. Fascinating that so many here on FR support illegal immigration when the American People as a whole are overwhelmingly against it in ever poll I have seen.
I 'ASKED" you. Thanks for answering, BRO.
Keep telling yourself that.
You Keyesters are the ones running people off.
Uh, no. Any child born in America is an American citizen.
So, does the apology count for all slandered people, or just the Hispanic ones?
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