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
excellent post
No one represents my interest at all anymore. The picture of Fox and Bush together turns my stomach. In the middle of these riots he's down there with that 3rd world fraud .I supported Bush from day one and took quire a few verbal beatings from NY City Liberals for it . Now I feel he sold me down the river .This could wind up being one of the darkest turning points in our history. This is bad , real , real bad.
Honestly! Several times because I asked her repeatedly to clarify. No, I really should have gotten her name. I thought I was calling the Tucson office and it would be easy for someone else to call her and debate this with her, but apparently the calls are routed to DC?
Los Angeles has been building "labor" sites for them, at public expense.
Who said that. We were discussing fools on this web site calling for Bush's impeachment.
If Bush continues to push for rewarding illegal behaviour, then I, like many others, will stay home, watch the Dems take Congress, and begin impeachment proceedings next year.
No self-respecting conservative could EVER do that. Period.
Secure the border first! Then we can decide what to do about the millions of illegals.
Not sealing the border will make a mockery out of everything else.
OMG! See? They're truly out of touch. That is both amazing and disgusting.
I'm sure Kyl's office was much more in tune. AZ really needs to retire its senior senator.
If you want to hitch your wagon with the Democrats and impeach this president, that's your business. I'll be the one getting the last laugh.
re:Spanish cable stations
watching the weather.. Oy! they know how to get ya ready for the day.
Good question, Howlin. From the Washington Times:
WACO, Texas — President Bush yesterday said he opposes a civilian project to monitor illegal aliens crossing the border, characterizing them as "vigilantes."
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050324-122200-6209r.htm
Out, but not without an incredible amount of whining. Which will throw the Rats into a dilemma: Do we coddle the whining or do we stand our ground on the sole issue that makes us look good to conservatives vis a vis the GOP?
Most of them are only for open borders because Bush says it is the right thing to do. If a democratic president was pushing for open voters, the same people would be calling for impeachment.
Actually for the time being, until a viable 3rd party emerges, I think we should go virtual and "vote AGAINST the NWO/Globalist critters in both parties. Get them out in the primaries if possible. If necessary cross over in the general.
It's a good thing that at least some Reublicans work hard to make Bush aware of their dissatisfaction when he steps in it.
>>
Better to vote 3rd party and have a term under a deadlocked socialist government than to live under a capitalist system WITHOUT a country.
Better not let the owner of this web site hear you say that!
>>
Yeah, this has to stop. This is advocating election of Democrats and subjecting family and neighbors to life under the leftward most alternatives. That's clearly Democrat activism. Why is it here?
Third parties are a waste of time. Voting Democrat is insanity.
;-)
Neither offense comes close to a party or politicians who allow America to be sold out to a third world dump.
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