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
I didn't promise my spouse I wouldn't post but this is my last post about illegal immigrants (invaders). Have posted all I have to say about this subject. It is insulting the way President Bush trying to push a bill through Congress to let these people stay in our country.
Oh, move to the head of the class!
Did you actually say that with a straight face?
Just one example. A pro-american, hardworking vietnamese who applies for a VISA in vietnam has less than a 5% chance of being accepted because the US has to absorb all the mexican illegals. That's unfair! It's all about cheap labor and paying under-the table.
This case has been supreceded. Try to keep up.
I see we have reached a level of discourse that might have made the Founding Fathers get flushed in the face as well.
I have never considered myself a Bush basher... heck, I definitely am not a Bot tho either. Oddly enough or not tho, All my presidential votes have been Republican back to '72.
I also know I am not alone in having concerns with some of the issues we face and the direction some would take in addressing them. I am a student of history and seek to know both sides of the issue as best as I can discern or much less handle.
I will not go off on some folks just because I disagree with them and I do not wish to participate in peeing contests as some seem to be drawn to here at FR. But I can be provoked , the California threads are a testament to that. ;-)
All that being said, I have always enjoyed and sometimes marveled at how you and some others here at FR have withstood the ups and downs of the forum and our nation's travails.
I always believed that in the end , the truth is what mattered most. Without it , we are all at a loss to confirm the certainty of our convictions and to validate that our actions are as honorable as they can be.
Some here are sensitive, No, overly sensitive to what is transpiring the last few months on the borders&immigration front. Some are questioning recent and current events and asking hard questions, some are hurling bitter and divisive invective.
I like to try and mix it up a bit from time to time and pick my times to go to extreme very carefully, because I value my place here and I value the opinions of many who don't see eye to eye with me on every issue.
And then there are those who are cheap shot artists, won't debate, only attack, and haven't much of a clue why they feel they way they do, imo. They go with the territory, unfortunately, but probably in most cases are as solid an individual as you would want to go into battle with.
When I see the word appeaser use, I think Chamberlain, I think Vichy FRance, so its not that unusual we see their type here as well. Quick to critique but slow to act or explain what their solution is. That seems to be the democRat theme of late and it may well cost more innocent
American lives as the days go by.
Sooo,, Keep on being who and what you are, it's too damn late to change now anyway for most if not all of us anyway. ;-}
Don't laugh. Afer holes are serious business. I shudder just thinking about the last one I crawled into.
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
If I wanted to live in Mexico, I'd FRIGGING MOVE THERE!
You traitorous Son of a ......
It's not a fact, it's a lie.
I'm beginning to wonder about that now; they have used this politically, but now, after all the street marches, they just may be forced into passing something, because the marches have scared the real people in the country.
And guess who is NOT going to like what they pass?
The fact is certain people don't want our border secured. Many of them post on FR.
Name 'em.
It is.
It's an old socialist dream.
Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
Why would they want citizenship? If they got it, then they'd have to pay income tax, pay for their food, medical care, education, etc., etc. like the rest of us schmucks. That's the last thing they want. Right now they've got a carefree life subsidized by the American suckers.
Sounds like you're speaking from experience.
You traitorous Son of a ......
What? Unwilling to finish your sentence?
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