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
BS. I said or implied no such thing.
But I looked up the definition and I decided it fit.
And, no, I'm not a big fan of StormFront.
Shut up, Tonk.
its easy to label or define someone as such but a bit harder to prove intent. it can get messy.
I get called an anti arnold hack and arnold hater by a few at FR, when in fact Yes, I admit, I do disagree with his actions on many occasions but I don't inwardly wish bad things upon him in a hateful way or allow myself to stew on certain thoughts as some appear to on certain other issues.
The choice of the word vigilante and its use by the President was untimely at best, and maybe a bit revealing in a way as well, maybe.
take into account we don't always know what kind of crap some folks have been taking when they are all of a sudden then asked a loaded question and certain feelings emerge intentionally or otherwise come out and are taken for some menaing other than intended..
I don't know where the hell you live, but nobody in m Neighborhood Watch carries guns.
Then who do you think the reporter was referring to? This is a page right out of Bill Clinton's handbook.
World government ping
I'm really amazed at what I have seen, heard and researched. Pretty sad state of affairs. The only thing I can do do is fax, call and vote.
What's wrong is your getting your talking points from a site whose owner has been banned from FR.
;-)
Red herring.
Yep, yep.
Does the definition of vigilante have anything to do with carrying a gun?
No, it isn't. And nobody in my neighborhood interferes with police doing their business.
I don't know where the hell you live, but nobody in m Neighborhood Watch carries guns.
Maybe you should try living with where the illegals live you'd probably carry two guns...
Since you seem so bent on semantics,what is your definition of AMNESTY? Does W promote AMNESTY?
right
Howlin, you're simply on the wrong side of this issue. I'm not going to say anything further because I respect you as a FReeper.
I don't think most of them forgot what we went through coming home but I'll say this "never let one generation of veterans forget another".
"Shut up, Tonk."
What, no support from Viet Nam Vets?
And you are mad?
Why aren't we allowed to voice our choice?
Too bad the RINO's think it's OK
for hanoi kerry to be in the US Senate,
and attack our troops,
and have the nerve to censure real Viet Nam Vets
who call for the traitor to be held fully accountable!
The same RINO's who were the "silent majority" in the 60's and 70's
and who caved in to the minority looney left.
Are you too slow to click on my home page and see that I am in North Carolina?
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