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
Norm, there are some on FR that have serious legitimate concerns about the illegal issue
And then there are some that popping up out of no where, who imo only want to start trouble
I've been mostly laying low on this issue (and I'm not the only one) .. because I'm not interested in fighting with FRiends who's opinions I value and respect.
But when I see BS about impeachment .. I can't keep quiet anymore
Seriously .. what does that solve??
Absolutely nothing ..
And for the record .. I'm not for illegals
I wish I never would have voted for Arnold. What a mistake that was. Republican-Lite never works out.
I just cringe when I see that. Funny, as a child I never realized the commie Lennon was.
I don't think I need to.
"..and a huge push by Republican politicians toward a global govt"</p>Uh..huh? Last I checked, we weren't anywhere near a "global government". Check back in 3000 years. We'll think about it then. In the meantime, try and curb the WND articles.
They have to be several to one living quarter --- and thus, they should be reported and their landlords fined or turned into authorities.
Well I guess if you were God then simply your personal insult would be considered as contradicting me. As it is, your words are worse than meaningless. they are as accurate or inaccurate as you are.
I don't guess I think you are an idiot but you are a mean spirited person with no debating skills at all. You think hurling an insult is making a point. Goodness what we have to put up with.
It's vicious lie and I think you agree.
It helps to know who the "wrist slitters" are. :-)
Because we know whose opinion here matters and whose doesn't. We have civil discussions about all these topics all the time.
Lately that's been a problem, but it doesn't really matter; there are people here with an agenda -- and it's not just about immigration. But cooler heads always prevail.
And I have been reading YOUR posts on this; you'd be surprised how much we agree on.
Those with sane ideas will come together on other threads and fight another fight.
That will forever seat you on the outside looking in.
And the mantra continues. "Who cares about policy as long as we're WINNERS!!!!!"
Sure you do. Why not?
You insinuate. Too chicken to be a man about it?
You think POTUS is a traitor?
Sad but true.
LOL
If only those shouting for impeachment had a clue what implications that would bring. I frankly don't want to find out what will happen, because the Democrats will only make things worse.
Stephen Quayle is on record as stating that we have moved from the realm of natural threats into the arena of supernaturally guided events of the “unseen hand of evil” orchestrating world events of unfathomable proportions. Link
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