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 think Bush sees a big picture of ebb and flow between the US and Mexico. The problem is that the people migrating in are prime candidates for the Democrat machine.
Uh the White House called...they need someone to check in at the gate to pick up Barney & Miss Beazeleys' turds off the south lawn before Marine One lands. All y'all better gitr'done!
Are you denying they are vigilantes?
Main Entry: vig·i·lan·te
Pronunciation: "vi-j&-'lan-tE
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish, watchman, guard, from vigilante vigilant, from Latin vigilant-, vigilans
: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law appear inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice
- vig·i·lan·tism /-'lan-"ti-z&m/ noun
Algore would have done far worse, and probably still be in Washington with his head buried in a pile of sand.
With that in mind take a look at this.
DOUG from Upland started with this thread U.S. BORDER PATROL: Turn In Illegal Aliens (and employers, followed by this one U.S. BORDER CONTROL Turn in illegal aliens
Go to either thread for more details on what to do. The TOLL FREE number to report ILLEGAL aliens or those employing ILLEGAL aliens to ICE is: 866-347-2423
How it works:
You are not required to provide your identity to ICE. All that is necessary to request an investigation by ICE is mere suspicion of any activity by ILLEGAL aliens.
ICE and the IRS are especially interested in "visiting" those businesses that employ ILLEGALS "off the books" to avoid the payment of payroll taxes.
I suggest looking around and see if you might spot a suspect. At work, at school, at a job sight, Micky D's, Store etc.
On the day(current plan is May 1) of this march check to see if you can determine if someone took the day off. Confirming grounds for suspicion.
:) Easy Does It
Good, feel free to take it both ways . You read my post right, it is intended as a mixed response to yours. ;-)
we have a lot of defeatism that breeds here all too readily and turns folks to seeking the easy path and not being willing to stay the course of what was a once proud and accomplished paty here.
It isn't that many years since the GOP held major sway here, some middle of the roaders ran it in the weeds and now we are trying to get it out of the ditch. Yet some think tossing another actor in and winning in the Recall means all is well and we can continue on being bigger spenders and borrowers than ever make it likely that it will go even deeper in the weeds and soon.
No offense was intended in my reply, only a mild refute.
It depends on what the meaning of "vigilante" is.
That Bush looks a little like Pete Sampras (tennis).
If Bush did NOT refer to the Minutemen as "vigilantes" as most conservatives already know (it was a well posted issue here in FR when it happened) then you would have posted the correct quote with a link several threads back. Instead you deny those were his words. Why dont you post his exact words with a link. As a Bush-voter, I would like to know I was wrong about Bush having called the Minutemen "vigilantes".
Oh please
And?
Are you claiming they're not?
That is a big problem.
I guess you're too busy looking in a mirror.
Here's your definition:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1606530/posts?page=864#864
Thank you for your service. And, I'm cringing because you've thoroughly embarrassed yourself.
The exact words have already been posted. You need to follow the thread closer. Carry on.
Exactly. All he said was he was opposed to vigilantes in the United States.
For some reason, people are upset -- I mean, by definition, isn't that what they are?
So Howlin, you're now saying that Bush correctly referred to the Minutemen as vigilantes, and Mo1 is saying he didn't refer to them as vigilantes.
I say he referred to them as vigilantes, and didn't mean it as a compliment.
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