Posted on 08/04/2006 4:48:59 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
REYNOSA — Flor Estrada had no complaints about President Bush’s “five-point” immigration plan, which he touted just across the river Thursday at Anzalduas County Park in Mission.
“I fully support him,” she said in Spanish, as the blaring car horns and scorching heat of this teeming Mexican border city flared a few feet outside the door of her liquor store.
For the most part, though, Reynosa residents seemed unimpressed by the U.S. president’s visit and seemed more interested in the health woes of the Cuban president.
Bush’s visit “doesn’t affect us,” said Transit Police Second Commander Israel Marín Terano, as he surveyed traffic entering the city from the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.
“More people are talking about (Fidel) Castro’s health.”
Most of the people who were interested in Bush were in agreement with his calls for greater border security, his temporary worker program and his call for learning to speak English in the United States.
Huddled in the shade around the plaza and in the streets Thursday afternoon, people of mixed ages said they understood Bush’s immigration concerns.
“It’s bad so many people are leaving the country illegally,” said Estrada, 31, who owns Licorería Imperial on Avenida Miguel Alemán. “They need to have documents.”
Bush also wants immigrants to get identification cards when in the United States.
Amen to that, said Maria Juarez, as she waited at a taco counter. Learning English is not such a bad idea either, she added.
“I’ve met people who have lived in McAllen for 40 years and never learned English,” the local security guard said in English as she rolled a toothpick around in her mouth.
However, the idea of a guest worker program does trouble her — and not because she supports amnesty or full citizenship for the undocumented living in the United States.
“A lot of people in Mexico make trouble, use drugs and then go to the U.S.,” she said.
Not everyone sang Bush’s praises, though.
“I don’t like him too much because he wants to put up more borders,” said Luis Anguizno, 50, of Guadalajara, Jalisco, who was in Reynosa on business. “The U.S. and Mexico are brothers.” ——— Jennifer C. Smith covers health, environment and science issues at The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.
To read more about the president’s visit, as well as watch and hear audio from the day’s events and read reporter blogs, visit www.themonitor.com/bush.
LOL! ¡México no es nuestro hermano, amigo!
I wonder how Luis Anguizno would feel if his brother stood in his living room screaming "This is my house and I want you to leave"?
“The U.S. and Mexico are brothers.”
I wonder how he would feel if we sent 20 million Americans down south to stay with him?
ping
Old Mexico Ping!
we just need to hold out for two more years and then we can elect a POTUS who will enforce the immigration laws and secure the borders.
Think what you want to think, but this is what I saw in the article. But I gues that doesn't count.
Sure it counts, Why wouldn't it, this is FreeRepublic!?
The people quoted in Reynosa seem to be more reasonable than many on this side of the border.
He visited? Didn't know that either.
Uh, Luis? Wrong guy. B-U-S-H does not spell "Tancredo". ;)
good !maybe jorge Bush could be the next president of mEXICO he can mangle the english and spanish language. lol
Same border, Tom Tancredo just wants it secured!
(Almost 5 years after 9/11!)
"He visited?"
Mission, Texas, yesterday.
Mission, Texas isn't Mexico.
(maybe I'd better go back and read the article carefully).
Across the border from Reynosa, Mexico, connected by 3 bridges to McAllen and Mission.
“A lot of people in Mexico make trouble, use drugs and then go to the U.S.,” she said.
Pretty funny that the Mexicans know this but our politicians don't.
Mexico has always hoped that it could get rid of its problems by sending them abroad. The problem is that it is also getting rid of its good people, something that is going to get even worse if the Commie Obra-Gore steals the election down there.
Doesn't count with this group.
Possibly something to the effect of "Yanqui dolares! Que bueno!"
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