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:
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That's politics. Losers and winners.
I prefer working from WITHIN, with a seat at the table.
You're welcome to stand outside.
And they know that
Probably. The link didn't work for me.
What party, which can be elected, will do the job for you?
Oh, what a relief!
I'd die if you were a Republican!
I am neither or Bushbot nor a Bush Basher. However, I am leaving this thread. This thread has sunk to the depth of the smoky backroom. Good night.
I agree.
The illegal immigration hurts all the *Legal* immigrants who play by the rules and want to become citizens.
Why should someone who cuts in line be rewarded?
BRAVO! You switched parties! To a 3 party?
That will forever seat you on the outside looking in.
Congratulations.
Well, I'd try to fix the link but I think Mr. Quayles supernatural powers could be at work :)
Yep. Just check the [R] box and get Rinos like Snowe.
For a while I thought maybe he was going to surprise me and be a good one. Especially when he made the "with us or against us" speech.
He has been OK on Afghanistan and fair with Iraq although I think the war should be carried on with more vigor.
On illegal immigration tho he has not simply been bad, he has been awful
Sometimes the only power someone can have in a two party system is to withhold a vote. The leadership of the republican party thinks it can go far to left in order to get more votes because they think us conservatives have nowhere to go.
I'm not calling for everyone to vote third party in every race this fall. But do not vote for republicans who are not even moderatly conservative. If you have a good conservative congressmen go ahead vote for him, but if you have a Rino don't vote for him.
I am mad at myself for voting Bush in 2004. He has turned out to be a disaster on immigration, spending, and the war on terrorism. Does anyone have any doubts that a terror cell can just walk into america? The only line of defense on our souther border is illegals who might rat out someone who doesn't speak spanish!
I'm not going to call for his impeachment because honestly he hasn't broken any laws, but I'll be damned if I support him.
and Yes, there will always be another fight.
I can't wait for '08. Vote GOP unless it's McCain Graham , then just plan on taking a long vacation south of the border. 8-)
OH aren;t you CLEVER!
What a stupid, nancy-ass post.
YOu haven't been around here long enough. Stick around a while.
If he loses the Congress, he will be Impeached, you can count on that.
No s&^%, Sherlock.
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