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
The Three amigos... LOoooooL...
Yes. Read the definition you posted.
a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily
It's the punishing of crime that is the crux of the matter. All the minutemen do is watch the border - they do not summarily punish anyone.
Are neighborhood watch members vigilantes too?
Yes, I know. I posted the link where Bush referred to the Minutemen as "vigilantes". He was asked what he thought about the Minutemen by the media and his response was that he is against "vigilantes".
I'll give you an "E" for effort.
Nice try!
That's mostly right I think, he meant to say that vigilantism is not a good thing......... maybe not so directly at the guys in general.
Oops .. forgot to ping you to my #898 post
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1606530/posts?page=887#887
Hey Brother, what do you think of the "plan"?
You don't think turning them in to the Border Patrol is PUNISHMENT?
Are they letting them go?
He was never asked about the Minutemen...nice try.
I thought I would try a little homor to lighten up things. Life is way to short argue this amongst FRiends. We all have our opions on this.
Well you missed where I came in and what I was referencing or you wouldn't have asked your question....chew on this for awhile:
Mr. Bush's description of the Minutemen as vigilantes is a misreading of American history. The vigilantes were a lynch mob. The Minutemen are an expanded version of the Neighborhood Watch programs popular in many American cities. It's sad to see an American president roll out a royal welcome to a foreign dignitary so openly contemptuous of U.S. law, while simultaneously condemning Americans who are trying to help duly constituted authorities enforce the law.
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20050324-075949-5943r.htm
Your comment suggests that you a) agree that Bush did in fact refer to them as vigilantes and b) aren't too fond of the Minutemen yourself. Is that accurate? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
There were also reports of a few minutemen wanting to start a civil war. The Border Patrol has enough problems already than to be caught in the crossfire of AK-47 gunfire.
Paging Bill Clinton...
No it doesn't. Not in the least.
Could you put up a post without the word "sovereignty" in it? You've worn that word out.
The Dummies are sitting by and watching us eat our own.
No, punishment means being judge and jury. By your definition, a neighborhood watch progam is a vigilante group because they watch their neighborhood and turn offenders into the police.
Good catch.
"Well, at least you know the names of the dogs. Pull the detail, huh?"
Hey Brother, notice how the RINO's "forgot" it was people
like us who are used to insults to Viet Nam Vets.
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