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
You're right about that.
Well we all heard Leahy and Specter say their bill was not an amnesty and they were lawyers and know what amnesty is...its all a play on words...a cow a deer its all bullshit...anything that doesn't make illegals leave the country first is an amnesty..period
Can you prove that? Maybe he didn't understand the question and he just happened to be thinking about the movie right then.
Someone like Arnold is the best that conservatives can hope for in California.
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Are you really from Atlanta? Good Stay there. ;-)
The biggest problem we face as conservatives here is the Ca GOP itself which has been hijacked by moderates and those who claim to be Republican yet push a liberal agenda, neither of which have made attempts to communicate conservative principles effectively and apparently don't really even care to try to.
Until the socialists and moderates in Republican guise are purged as well,, you are correct, it will be a long time until a social much less a fiscal consevative is elected here.
Damn straight.
Only because you trolled each and every one, exactly as you have this one.
ROFLMAO................that is the funniest thing I've seen posted in YEARS!
Would you like a complete quote?
Unbelievable! Why can't we take that lesson from the Mexicans???!!! Term Limits... What a wonderful thing! We have to do that here to save U.S.!
Oh golly gee.
BRAVO!
We're being sold down the river by both sides here. They talk crap , the lot of them . I can't tell you how Bush has dissapointed me . What the hell is he doing to those of us that put him where he is ?
he was talking about the minutemen and he used the word vigilantes, google it or search FR if you don't believe us...
I already know the complete quote
That's right, throw it off on me;
It couldn't possibily have been because you promised us that a "real, true" conservative could win, even suggested he WAS going to win, and then we all ended up talking about
could it?
Well, yes LOL -- but an altogether great post!
I "BRAVO!" 'd him.
Occasionally it is good to remind yourself that it's just words on a computer screen. The insults are pretty much all they have.
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