Posted on 11/20/2001 4:17:34 PM PST by flamefront
Published: Nov 20, 2001WASHINGTON (AP) - A comprehensive immigration agreement between Mexico and the United States will have to be deferred because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, administration officials said Tuesday.
The officials, asking not to be identified, said they notified a visiting Mexican delegation that security concerns will have to take a higher priority in cross-border relations.
They said the Mexicans understood and accepted the U.S. decision.
Mexican President Vicente Fox has been a harsh critic of the current system, in which Mexican migrants who come to the United States are unable to escape their illegal status.
President Bush seemed to agree. During Fox's Sept. 5 visit here, he and Bush committed themselves to an approach that respects "the human dignity of all migrants," regardless of their legal status.
But the U.S. officials said that too many members of Congress believe that any measure that legalizes undocumented aliens would increase U.S. vulnerability to a terrorist attack.
Since Sept. 11, the administration has been making it more difficult for foreigners to enter the country. For Mexicans, this has meant more stringent searches at border crossings.
Visa processes for young men from Arab and Muslim nations have also been delayed to give officials more time to search for evidence of terrorist activities.
Immigration reform has be a high priority for Fox since he took office a year ago. When he met with Bush, Fox challenged him to reach an agreement by the end of the year.
Bush did not embrace the timetable but agreed that a legalization process - short of blanket amnesty - was called for, given the contributions Mexican workers have made to the U.S. economy.
The U.S. and Mexican delegations met for several hours Tuesday at the State Department. The American delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mary Ryan, also included Justice and Labor Department officials and immigration officials.
Mexico's delegation was led by Gustavo Mohar, a migration expert at Mexico's Secretariat for External Relations; and Rodolfo Tuiran, who heads Mexico's National Council on Population.
Another meeting will probably be held sometime in January. The officials said the U.S. side wants to keep options open in case political conditions change.
On Monday, a Mexican delegation met with Tom Ridge, the director of homeland security, and other officials to discuss border issues.
AP-ES-11-20-01 1900EST
Americns should not be required to give up their rights or their safety to enable San Diego's financial schemes.
We "rely" on them here too - and it sucks.
"san diego's largest export partner is mexico."
" san diegans are not going to give up this source of income to please your xenophobia."
Funny, I was stationed there in San Diego for 5 years and I could've sworn it was really the northern most suburb of Mexico City. Thank God I live in some little rednecked American town now! At least we know what we are ... Americans!
Me too, I have always loved the latin culture, and used to visit Mexico every chance I got. (To drink tequila and eat the food.) Now Mexicans are open with their hatred for the US, this is why Fox could not in good faith support us after Sept 11. (At least with a straight face.)
I applaud this change of heart on the part of the administration (if it is valid) because the immigration policy of Bush is just about the only thing he had campaigned on that I disagree with. We must control who enters with permission to stay, and they must be interested in becoming members of this country.
You said: Mexico is pumping oil like crazy for us. Why do you think you are paying 80 cents a gallon less for gasoline? This will do more for our economic recovery than a thousand burro patrols. THANK YOU, MEXICO!
No way. Mexico just last week tried to stir up international trouble by asking Russia and Norway join Mexico as non-OPEC members to join in a pledge to cut production in order to solidify OPECs pledge to cut production if others outside OPEC joined. Mexico initiated that action by going to Norway to ask for Russia's involvement in the deal. Now, all of a sudden, Russia is reversing its first offer made at the time Putin was smoozing with Bush in Crawford Texas that kept prices low. (Been to the gas station, lately?) Oil Climbs as Russia Edges Toward Cut. Perhaps Mexico will succeed in sticking the U.S. in the back with its international effort to raise oil prices and cut production.
NO THANK YOU MEXICO!
Mexico is in effect joining OPEC. How does that help the U.S.?
Lies..lies...lies..
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
The following is posted Nov. 18th by Contreras:
Do you really believe that? If you do, try to compare cultures in the broadest sense. Can you? Regardless, this is a stereotype I am somewhat unfamilliar with. I guess I just have not been straining myself THAT much to look for something negative in what is admittedly my own race.
Builders or destroyers, givers or takers? Who's side are you on?
No such thing is claimed. Quit being frightened by fringe groups.
They want jobs that you want filled.
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