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."
___
On the Net:
U.S. Trade Representative: http://www.ustr.gov
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
I'm old enough to remember when Van Nuys was a pretty decent place to live.
Have you been to Panorama City lately?
Dick Morris is very unreliable, but he is right on this one. It is beyond me how "conservatives" posting in this thread are oblivious to it.
Actually, David Frum and Ann Coulter made personal accusations about Miers that have never been retracted and have not been forgotten by many of us here. Your characterization of Miers is, of course, more of the same kind of hyperbole we heard out of the blonde banshee.
I am glad Alito is on the court. Miers was treated horribly by those who opposed her. They revealed a side of themselves that has manifested itself, once again, in personal attacks against the president and ridicule of even his facial features.
You guys are so transparent it's no longer funny.
As happened with the Schiavo fiasco, FR will lose some very good FReepers, as this place continues its drift into John Birch Society territory.
"Increased border security"....they are getting through Arizona by about 160,000 per month, as we speak. What kind of increased border security is going to stop this flow?
Agreed. But many have fake documents, and very good ones. I do not want good employers arrested because they were duped by conterfeit SS cards and such. As for the ones who don't even ask, bust 'em.
I appreciate the stats and greatly admire this president in the war on terror, but this is getting very worrisome. Very loyal Republicans want action now in stopping the invasion. I worry about significant erosion of support.
That's not what he said
Q (As translated.) Mr. Presidents and Mr. Prime Minister, I wanted to ask you what concrete actions do your governments want to lay out in order to make this partnership a reality as far as energy markets, which is a very critical issue for all of our countries -- energy markets? I also want to ask you in this security and prosperity partnership, when will you include the migratory, or immigration policy in this partnership?
And, President Bush, I wanted to ask you about your opinion about those people who are hunting migrant people along the border.
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm against vigilantes in the United States of America. I'm for enforcing law in a rational way. That's why you got a Border Patrol, and they ought to be in charge of enforcing the border.
That's ALL he said.
That would be good! I posted this on our local board today too and I think others were going to call.
McCain's Tucson office: (520) 670-6334. Unfortunately, the only description I have is that I talked to a woman, guessing from her voice 50ish... this morning.
Seriously, she sounded like a liberal with her platitudes and ever-so-slight whining in her voice. I was NOT confrontational and thought she would just take my name and number like they usually do, so was a bit taken aback to be told I need to keep paying high taxes to bring "everyone who wants to come here" over.
Well, the House gets it and I hope they hold firm. Secure the border first!
I'm open to finding out more about this. Did Bush not actually use the word "vigilantes"? Was he merely hinting that Minutemen are vigilantes rather than saying it explicitly? Was Bush talking about the Minutemen, and then just coincidentally went off on an unrelated tangent about vigilantes? That would have to be quite a stretch for a reporter to say that Bush used that term if he didn't.
They could do the child and the rest of us taxpayers a favor by exercising chastity.
What a stupid post.
Democrats will never lose control if they gain it this time around. High on the agenda --- doing away with the Electoral College.
They want to screw us all, doncha know?
Why is it here?
Because they are posers?
True, but to do that he has to also be more of a libertarian on the social side of things. California just isn't going to elect a social conservative in a state wide election any time soon. Someone like Arnold is the best that conservatives can hope for in California.
When illegals start to vote in higher numbers after Bush's plan, Gray Davis and Barbara Boxer will be the best the conservatives can hope for.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.