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
LOL! Exactly! I believe you, regardless. Same guy, I'm sure.
Cheap labor. When you are a lawbreaker, you dont have as much say when it comes to how much you are paid.
We probably have 30 million here now. I heard Durbin say that half of all illegals were overstayed visas. I had previously thought the number was 20 to 30 million just from border crossers.
Amnesty will gives us another 100 million illegals within 10 years, but then they won't be called illegal anymore.
Game over....Democrats will have their voting block for decades.
Not that I'm for or against impeachment, it makes no difference to me as I support neither facet of the one party system, but out of curiousity what 'implications' would that bring?
Well next time you're talking to President Bush, please be sure to remind him to secure our borders. Thanks.
At the Taco Bell.
Nice try, but that's not the quote.
A seat at the table is always preferred.
Losers and winners.
I know which one you are. I can tell by your constant whine.
Are you under the impression that you're the type of person who I give a rat's A$$ what you think of me? If so, you're sadly mistaken and have too high opinion of yourself.
You think hurling an insult is making a point.
I suggest your review your own posts.
Goodness what we have to put up with.
You can always leave the forum.
If you had any principles you wouldn't be jumping ship to some irrelevant third party that hasn't produced a single candidate in Washington ever since Perot arrived on the scene.
Third parties are a waste of time. Voting Democrat is against principle.
'08 Bumper Sticker
"ANYBODY except a RINO or hitlery!"
I would tell him exactly that. In the meantime, have you called or written to your Congresscritters? And to POTUS as well?
Pat's been a TV commentator for the last 6 years.
He has about as much power as Chris Matthews.
And I like Pat - but by running as a Reform canidate, he lost him any support he had in the Republican Party in DC.
Of course, many on FR as so consumed with hatred of Pat, they can't stop writing about him.
Just say not no but hell no.
No thanks. I am eddykated and don;t need fast food employment anymore.
I don't know about that, it was around 3:00 a.m., my b.s. detector was not totally functional. I guess I should haven't let the cats wake me up that night. They're so persistent.
;-)
There are more than a small number of fantasies on that Coast to Coast show.
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