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
WICHITA, Kan. - Over the past 10 years, the number of federal cases statewide involving at least one person who is not a U.S. citizen has grown from 10 percent to 50 percent, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
And fewer crimes.
Nice hypothetical. Congress is not even likely to produce a reform bill, much less deem anybody a "hostile."
Still parading around that tired, old, worn-out Bush-hating talking point are we?
If you weren't blinded with so much hatred, you'd realize it's the Congress that controls spending.
I hear there selling the NO buses on E-bay
You've got that right.
Whenever illegal immigration is the subject; they are there to support it. And call anyone -who supports the rule of law - a racist.
A DU troll couldn't do more damage to Free Republic.
Common misconception, but inaccurate.
The children of foreign heads of state, and children of foreign diplomats do not obtain USA citizenship.
And the intent of those who passed the 14th Amendment was never that aliens, especially illegal aliens, should receive citizenship either.
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."
Yep. More than once.
And I am getting sick of also, hearing how hard they work I work hard everyday to and I dont hear anyone telling me that
I've been saying that for a very long time. And usually about all I've received for saying it is abuse and slander and grief.
I don't see any point in castigating his most avid supporters, though. He's going to desperately need every last one of them.
Okay, so it is a big business it seems. I have tried for years here to figure out who owns the apartments and such where these invaders are living. WHO is behind the housing? WHO is providing the vehicles for title transfer? Come on, we all may come from different parts of the country, but you have to have a BILL OF SALE in my state. YES, I realize these are forged documents, but WHO or WHAT is backing this racket?????
Yep. thats what they do.
Pile on every Pat Buchanan thread and illegal immigration thread and start with the personal attacks.
I see no evidence that the border is more secure. in fact, you are likely to see massive increases in the flow now, as people try to "get in under the wire", so that when the new law comes into effect, they are already in place ready to be covered by it. again, its the way any market would work - provide incentives in a certain direction, and you effect behaviour.
technology could solve alot of this so-called "labor shortage" we have, if we allowed regular labor market forces to work. why hasn't anyone invented an automated lettuce picker? why bother, when migrant farm workers make $30 a day. RFID could be used to replace almost all persons working checkout at US retailers - just run your cart past the scanner, swipe your credit card, and go. I could go on and on, the need for service labor can be reduced by technology - but those investments won't take place if the labor market is skewed artificially.
these are the kinds of arguments I expect the President to consider - instead of the constant harping about "jobs americans won't do", over and over again. like we were a bunch of school children, who cannot understand the concept of business and economic forces.
I agree that there isn't going to be mass deportations and arrests. I am willing to listen to an honest debate on this topic. - where is it? its not coming from the administration, and the senate has caved. our House members are the last chance.
Color me confused .. but when did the President start passing Bills??
US Border Patrol agents are already reporting that this is the case.
Jorge wouldn't want anyone to call Reconquista what it is.
That he is; I can't even stand to look at him.
I thought you had to be a citizen to get into West Point?
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