President Bush and Mexico's President Vicente Fox shake hands after their bilateral meeting in Cancun, Mexico, Thursday, March 30, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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."
___
On the Net:
U.S. Trade Representative: http://www.ustr.gov
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
President Bush and Mexico's President Vicente Fox shake hands after their bilateral meeting in Cancun, Mexico, Thursday, March 30, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (L) shakes hands with U.S. President George W. Bush at the end of a bilateral meeting in Cancun, Mexico March 30, 2006. Harper, Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox are in Cancun to discuss security and immigration issues at the three-way summit of North American leaders. REUTERS/Chris Wattie
L-R: US President George W. Bush, Mexican President Vicente Fox and Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper talk during tour at the arqueologic area of Chichen Itza in Yucatan State. The leaders took the tour prior to embarking on serious talks about North American trade and immigration.(AFP/Alfredo Estrella)
The Three Amigos
McCain is on H&C now. at least Hannity is asking some real questions.
Be a good time to put up that border fence...but I guess Air Force One would just fly over it...
Thanks for the heads-up
McCain..
George Will says it would take 200,000 buses to round up all the illegals and that the Reagan amnesty didn't work.
Maybe we could borrow some of NO's buses, they don't seme to have much use for them.
Another lie from a corrupt third world leader..this will be the end of the of American sovereignty..given 30 years or so...
If they do, they will surely lose my vote.
Oh, please give us a report afterwards...
What could he have meant by that bizarre statement?
For what reason did we break away from England over 200 years ago?
THERE IS NO JOB AMERICANS WON'T DO! There is only a wage that Americans won't work for. And if you took away welfare, you'd see that little bit of pickity-snippit vanish, too.
Just once, I'd like to hear someone ask a proponent of mass immigration and amnesty (like McCain) about the insane, potentially massive collision between racial preferences and the mass importation of people eligible for them (though it will be a bigger deal for the children of such immigrants).
I know I'm never going to hear that from a Katie Couric or some presidential debate moderator, but it would be nice if someone like Hannity would think to ask it.
He is a new worlder doing his father's bidding. This will mark the beginning of a nation of warring factions.
Was Ronald Reagan an "arrogant psychopath who deems himself King, Lord, and Master" when he signed amnesty into law?
I promised my spouse I would no longer post anything negative about this issue.
Whew I kept my promise :)
I heard that too. does someone have the actual quote?
"do jobs that Americans won't do."
Those words just tick me off!
Did Pres Bush really say that nationalism was bad for American and bad for the economy?
Somehow I think Savage is mistaken.
Anything is worth a try once, but you know what they say about people who repeat the same steps expecting different results.
I thought Fox was supposed to provide security?
None of them have their shirts tucked in. Do they all have to carry concealed when they get together?
I thought it was seven seals, seven vials, and seven trumpets for the Apocalypse?
I can neither confirm or deny that statement.
If true, it will be sourced and posted tho, I'm sure.
Yeah - I think Bush would be lucky and grateful to be ranked anywhere close to Reagan.
On H&C, McCain said amnesty means forgiveness.
Wrong!
From Merrium-Webster
Main Entry: am·nes·ty
Pronunciation: 'am-n&-stE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Greek amnEstia forgetfulness, from amnEstos forgotten, from a- + mnasthai to remember -- more at MIND
: the act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals
I don't have it, but I trust that Savage got that right. He was pissed. I know some think he's a little nuts, but he's really not. Most of it is just "shtick".
Anyhow, I'd love to see the context of that quote.
By the way, when you wrote, " I heard that too" --- did you mean that you heard it on the Savage show or did you hear it elsewhere?
It means that many globalists view national distinctions as archaic concepts of the past. Borders are dangerous to the globalists as are the also outdated concepts of patriotism and sovereignty.
"do jobs that Americans won't do for that wage."
Is that better?
It's great that Canada has a Prime Minister that represents Canada's interests.
Beyond that, I'd best not say.
According to Mark Levin, who was in the Reagan administration - he says Reagan only agreed to that because he thought the basic enforcement policies of the Simpson bill would be pursued going forward. they weren't, and the same risk exists this time - a bill passes, it includes both a guest worker plan and some new enforcement objectives - we get the guest workers, and nothing else is enforced.
Here is an action plan to look at.
DOUG from Upland started with this thread U.S. BORDER PATROL: Turn In Illegal Aliens (and employers, followed by this one U.S. BORDER CONTROL Turn in illegal aliens
Go to either thread for more details on what to do. The TOLL FREE number to report ILLEGAL aliens or those employing ILLEGAL aliens to ICE is: 866-347-2423
How it works:
You are not required to provide your identity to ICE. All that is necessary to request an investigation by ICE is mere suspicion of any activity by ILLEGAL aliens.
ICE and the IRS are especially interested in "visiting" those businesses that employ ILLEGALS "off the books" to avoid the payment of payroll taxes.
I suggest looking around and see if you might spot a suspect. At work, at school, at a job sight, Micky D's, Store etc.
On the day(current plan is May 1) of this march check to see if you can determine if someone took the day off. Confirming grounds for suspicion.
:) Easy Does It
Not voting for your Congressman is at least better than voting for the Democrat.
Michael Savage just said on his show (and I think I have this correct)that our President, George W. Bush, said today in Mexico, “Nationalism is a dangerous thing.”
What could he have meant by that bizarre statement?
For what reason did we break away from England over 200 years ago?
We'll see.
A Republican President kissing the butt of a turd world dictator
A dead asleep congress, completely out of touch with the majority of americans
and
Never having to waste time voting again-priceless...
""We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do,"
We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do,"
We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do,"
We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do,"
We don't want people sneaking into our country that are going to do jobs that Americans won't do,"
I don't think so. We'll see. I hope George isn't losing it.
That is a promise I could never make with my wife. Of course, she knows I think the man is a traitor and a quisling so I fell that she would never ask for the impossible.
LOL ........ too much lunch.
;-)
Did he play the audio of a press conference?
Does McCain really think he can be president. What a joke. I would NEVER vote for him.
As the fat southern sheriff used to say, "Boy, you in a heap of trouble".
That's our nation, in a heap of trouble.
This is B.S. plain and simple..Mexico has no middle class...the rich in Mexico can buy anything they want from anywhere...and the Mexican "middle class" that was predicted to boom with the prior trading agreements is not developing. Mexico is a corrupt oligarchy that uses America as a pressure relief valve ( a dumping grounds for their peon class) enabling the ruling class to maintain their death grip on power and wealth. In the meantime the illegal population in the United States from Mexico continues to grow and grow...
"Balkanazation American style" is no longer around the corner , it's on the horizon.
Please tell us how you really feel about President Bush.
Too bad your spouse cut you off right when I was pointing out how ALL immigration is a NET BENEFIT to the United States of America: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1606095/posts?page=41#41
Reagan also trusted the Marines would be relatively safe from attack when they went into Beirut.
He got bit more than once on that trust thingy.
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