Posted on 05/24/2006 6:54:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
YAKIMA, Wash. - Mexican President Vicente Fox told hundreds of farm workers here Wednesday that his country and the United States can't go it alone in trying to fix immigration problems.
"It's clear the purpose is to reach an agreement that can give security, that can give legality, that can give flow to the migrant people," Fox said in Spanish on his second day of a four-day visit to the western U.S. "I think we are closer to the end of this route. This is a shared responsibility, the immigration reform."
Fox's speech came on the same day the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation. That cleared the way for final passage later this week of a bill that calls for tougher border security as well as an eventual chance at citizenship for millions of men and women in this country illegally.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire specifically pressed Fox to visit the eastern part of her state, where thousands of Hispanic workers — many of them illegal immigrants — labor in agriculture and comprise as much as 90 percent of the population in some communities. Some Washington farmers are worried that a border crackdown could create a shortage of workers.
In Yakima, Fox toured a 700-acre cherry, apple and pear orchard and an apple-packing warehouse owned by Rene and Carmen Garcia. Their operation, G&G Orchards, is believed to be the only Hispanic-owned apple warehouse in Washington state.
"So far, we're looking for a bigger crop this year, and I'm getting nervous," Rene Garcia said. "We're not seeing the people circulating around looking for jobs."
Six busloads of farm workers, farm owners and others welcomed Fox.
Enrique Diaz, 67, a farmworker originally from Colina, Mexico, has lived in the central Washington city of Pasco for about 30 years. He said he came here to make a better living and has been a citizen since 1976.
Diaz said he hopes the main message Fox walks away with is immigrants' need for amnesty.
"There's a lot of pressure. They're both suffering — people who aren't residents and people who are," Diaz said.
Fox flew to Washington state to meet with farmers in the Yakima Valley and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski after an appearance earlier in the day in Utah.
On Thursday, Fox is to attend a breakfast with business leaders in Seattle, visit a community health center, and have lunch with other business groups. He then heads to California to address lawmakers and meet with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Fox told a special session of the Utah Legislature that the most pressing issue for U.S.-Mexico relations is immigration.
"One cannot underestimate the importance of this moment and how complex this issue is for our two nations," said Fox, speaking in English. "Since the beginning of my administration, the government of Mexico has promoted the establishment of a new system that regulates the movement of people across our border in a manner which is legal, safe and orderly."
Fox said his country does not support undocumented migration and that Mexico must expand economic growth so it is not necessary for people to seek work and benefits elsewhere.
Democracy cannot flourish unless there is economic freedom to support it, he said.
"Until recently, Mexico was trapped in a vicious cycle of economic crisis, recurring crisis. But we have set out to change that," he said. "Today, Mexico has the soundest, safest, most stable economy of our lifetime."
He said that 25 million impoverished Mexicans now have access to health, educational and nutritional support and that his administration has spent more on improving the lives of its residents than any other Mexican administration.
Fox said investing in education is vital to developing a robust Mexican economy that residents don't want to leave, and noted that about 1 million Mexican students are offered scholarships.
"I am absolutely convinced that those 1 million young (people) would have been trying to get to the United States to look for a job," he said.
Several dozen protesters gathered outside the state Capitol, waving American flags and carrying signs attacking proposals to offer illegal immigrants amnesty. The Minuteman Project, which opposes illegal immigration, organized the demonstration.
___
Associated Press Writer Brock Vergakis in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
Mexican President Vicente Fox holds up a couple of apples during his tour of G&G Orchards, believed to be the only Hispanic-owned apple warehouse in Washington state, in Yakima, Wash., on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. One of the topics that came up during his visit was the tariffs Mexico puts on apple imports from the United States. (AP Photo/Jackie Johnston)
No kidding!! Hey, Vincente, how about coming up with an economic policy other than "go North, and send back money".
waiting on the protest photos.. will post when available
So far he's winning...
If things are so good in Mexico, why are they trying to get here?
BUILD THE DAMN FENCE
Well, you've been no effin' help Fox, so F.O., we'll go it alone.
Fox's victory tour. Integration with the US on Mexico's terms well underway.
Sure we can. We just need the North American equivalent of the Great Wall of China
El senor presidente Bee-sain-tay Focks.....doing the job Americans just won't do.
Sure we can. All we gotta do is to make all our illgals legal and then let in more. Problem solved.
Your comment nails it. I feel like I've been living in Bizarro world the last few weeks.
A wolf in fox's clothing.
New World (B)Order
Where are the voices of our leaders telling Fox to go to hell and stop meddling in the affairs of the USA? The voices are not there. No one in Washington has the stones to tell this prick to get to the hell out of our country. Where are our leaders? Where?
What you said...
That's a great question. I don't think we have any real leaders anymore. Just a bunch of empty suits representing whoever rights the biggest check on a particular day.
The Hispanization of the USA is a prescription for acquiring a third world country status. The question, "Why is Bush doing this?" It defies even superfluous logic.
I prefer the more direct approach: I hope the main message Fox walks away with is "Kiss my A**!"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.