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
No se parece esa manera.
Sorry, I speak only English.
2006 and 2008 elections will be interesting.
FReeper RINO's forget that it was John O'Neill,
and Viet Nam Vets who saved America from
hanoi kerry.
Without vital support from Independents the GOP can't win.
Karl Rove nailed it exactly
Rove Credits Swiftvets With 'Energizing' Bush Vote (Thank You Karl Rove!)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345603/posts
Yes he did.
Ah, but if you're AT the table, then you can't be on the outside pi$$ing in, can you?
What, are you trying to ruin their groove?
Yes it is, books and everything :)
you'll realize they are a party longing to be in power after being embarrassed by their own motives for the last 60 years
Now would this be different than the other facet of the one party system that whined for years about what they would do once in power and have yet to fulfill one of their promises of limited government. Heck, I'm embarrased for the Whigs, excuse me Republicans.
That's sure what the owner of this "grassroots" web site says.
Nah, I suspect you will be wanting back in the fold. You third party types are all the same.
Shall I shine your shoes too?
;-)
And at this rate .. they never will
Nearly half the country hates him, and he can do nothing to change that. Now, he is actively working to lose his loyal base. Rove is a genius?
You have some nerve getting a good night's sleep!
Adios, yo estoy leyo mi libro espanol porque mi espanol es malo, y mi trabajo is va a India. Yo necessita a apprender a receibir welfare.
Apparently, for some, it does not matter if it is correct or not, but rather who said it to begin with.
It's mostly just a smear, and company-you-keep arguments are generally pretty lousy. If you look hard enough, you will find something you and pretty much anyone else will agree on.
The Spanish ballots apparently do.
My beef with Arnold is that he didn't campaign for the state Sens and Reps during the last election. The only way to change California is to get rid of the Socialists.
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