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
"Better" for B4Ranch who stated he / she gets angry seeing: "do jobs that Americans won't do" - I added the words: "for that wage" (which is what we are really talking about here).
Even if he was running against Hillary?
Bush could hardly be a greater disappointment on immigration.
In the end, he will go as his daddy. Viewed with ambivalence.
Thank God he made some good SCOTUS moves and some other morsels for his base.
$10/ hr? (That's what the Mexican day laborers get around here, tax free.) They'll do it (the Americans) if they stop getting handouts of free money, free housing subsidized utilities, and foo stams from the gummint, paid by you and me.
Represent the Old Testament revolt?
Fine: "do jobs that Americans won't do for that wage and benefits." Is THAT better?!
It seems Bush never learned the lessons of Neville Chamberlain and his trusting handshake with Hitler. The Mexican invasion-aggression will not be appeased. Mexican Illegal aliens will never be loyal to Los Estados Unidos. Their hearts belong to their motherland (Fatherland?)
How many of these demonstrators really want citizenship and how many just want to stay here without being a citizen? And how are they ever going to check who's who anyway when some of them have fake documents (SS cards, Green cards, etc.?)
NO PRESIDENT is going to order mass deportations.
Might as well get them registered one way or the other.
But I also think we should build a wall to stop anymore, for security reasons.
No, unfortunately he did not. He just spoke the words himself.
Really, I trust that Savage got that right, but like you, I would very much like to hear the actual audio myself (and see Catherine Zeta Jones at my door).
;-)
You know you're a Texan when the first thing you think when you see this headline is "Oklahoma Immigrants". I thought, "Oh, no! Are THEY trying to cross the Red River illegally now?"
Yes, that is better but the President doesn't mention the wage factor. The next time you sit down with him, mention the corrective measure, would you?
Why is it that every time I see that man(mcCrain) I just about barf???
No problem - I think he gets back Saturday.
Yes........ time for you to go fishing and for me to go play golf.
;-)
Calm down.
People cannot seem to wrap their mind around a fact.
The phrase "Illegals do the job that other Americans won't" is not false for the reason they think.
The correct phrase is "There are too few working age Americans to do the work Illegals are doing".
Something has to be done in general, but you must not find yourself spiraling into mathematical denial. The most important force in America is Demographics. The ageing of the population is what it is. There Are Not Enough Working Age Americans To Do All The Work That Needs Doing.
But . . . something needs to be done. Do a better job of border control. Bush has increased the numbers in the Border Patrol. If the border is secure, that stops the influx. Lots of good things come from that. Those already in the US can't go home to visit if their parents die and there is a funeral. Things like that are powerful.
Those who have been in the US for 25 yrs and have 3 kids aged 14, 17 and 22 who are all US citizens with the oldest a West Point grad . . . you can't toss that guy. He's made a solid contribution.
Let's worry about those in the country later. Secure the border. Bush has improved over his predecessors in that. He can improve further.
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