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
Does W promote AMNESTY?
No.
You mean not sending them home and letting them stay her and get a path to citizenship is not amnesty? Why won;t you define it?
Try a search engine. Google has one tailor-made for the U.S. Government.
Who the HELL are the storm troopers? I'm going to assume they're a bunch of Nazis, in which case I would have a very low opinion of them.
Well, you assumed wrong.
it was an attempt to inject a little levity in a less than humourous moment in time.
It's what you're doing right now.
LOL! This thread sucks, but there are some moments of levity.
Democrats Want To Censure President Bush For Fighting The War on Terror
http://www.gop.com/MultiMedia/VideoPlayer.aspx?ID=1065&TypeID=3
March '06 Radio Ad
Pass this "white flag" ad from Dec 2005 around on the internet, it's from gop.com
http://www.gop.com/Media/120905.wmv
Dec '05 TV Ad
At least gop.com has not been taken over by the RINO's!
Too bad the RINO's allow the attacks on President Bush.
Too bad the RINO's refuse to acknowledge the connection
between Iraq and WMD and al queda.
Too bad the RINO's allow the likes of hanoi kerry to remain in the US Senate
while the dim's call for the impeachment of President Bush.
Too bad the RINO's won't allow the "white flag" ad to be run again on TV
Nah, sinkspur's hair is longer ROFL
I think that Ray Nagin would prefer that you buy the buses. Make your bid here:
He has said he will veto any plan with amnesty.
Letting them stay here is not amnesty, sending them home isn't either. Amnesty is a pardon. They won't get pardoned, either here nor there.
Maybe 4 or 5 million.. if "they" can get 500,000 out for a mere rally in one city.. Consider the national election..
Could you please provide a source and link that the President supports HR4437?
I saw an article that south carolina has 55,000 illegals or so, have you seen any numbers for how many illegals are estimated in north carolina?
Very true, and ugly combination
I've been paying very close attention to everything he said aand what he actually did. Nothing I have seen says he supports enforcement without AMNESTY. Oh he did define Amnesty like Clinton defined not having sex but I thought anyone could see through that BS..maybe I was wrong..and some people actually believe no amnesty isn't like no new taxes?
Speaking from experience I presume.
I'm still curious as to what website you think I get all my great talking points from.
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