Mexican president to meet with California Governor, L.A. Mayor (address state legislatures)

ap on Daily Bulletin ^ | 5/23/06 | Ioan Grillo - ap

[NormsRevenge]

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Vicente Fox will be taking his five-year battle for immigration reform to the front lines this week with a visit to the western United States.

But analysts say Fox's trip this week to the states of California, Utah and Washington may do more harm than good.

The president wants Congress to approve a guest-worker program and a path for citizenship for some of the 6 million undocumented Mexicans in the United States. But some say Fox's visit could be seen as meddling in U.S. politics and strengthen support for hard-liners who want to tighten immigration laws.

"This trip has all the makings of a boomerang," said George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William and Mary. "It is going to be virtually impossible to be critical enough to keep his political support back home, while not looking like he is interfering in U.S. affairs."

During the five-day trip which starts Tuesday in Utah, Fox plans to meet with state governors and legislators, business leaders and Mexican migrants.

"The Mexican government wants to do its part to promote an immigration reform," Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar said in a Monday news conference. "Meeting with the Mexican community in these states, this Mexican government wants to show its total support for the defense of the their labor and human rights."

Fox will meet California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and will talk with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. He also plans to get his cowboy boots dirty traipsing around a farm where Mexicans work in Washington state.

Immigration and border security have deeply divided the United States, sparking protests from both volunteer civilian groups patrolling the border for illegal migrants as well as huge migrant-led marches in Los Angeles, Dallas and other U.S. cities.

Last week, President Bush announced plans to send 6,000 National Guard troops to the border. Days later, the Senate approved building 370 miles of triple-layer fencing.

The Mexican government expressed concerns about both measures, saying they would not control undocumented migration. But opposition politicians criticized Fox for not vigorously protesting the border security plans, which many Mexicans view as a slap in the face.

Fox's government, however, appears to be holding back, with the hope that the U.S. Congress will push through a comprehensive immigration reform package that will help legalize Mexicans in the U.S. and set up a guest-worker program.

The journey comes at a politically sensitive time south of the border with a presidential election six weeks off. Felipe Calderon from Fox's conservative National Action Party is in a tight race with leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, of the Democratic Revolution Party. Mexican law bars Fox from seeking re-election.

Fox has made a migration accord with the United States a cornerstone of his foreign policy since he took office in 2000. In 2001, he brought the issue to Washington, touting it before a joint session of U.S. Congress.

[sure_fine]

ut oh, surprise visit to his 'day labor' care centers

[stopem]

Booooooo!!!

[lormand]

Will they finally surrender California to El Presidente Fox?

[JoanneSD]

ICE should make a "surprise visit" at the center as well...

[soccer_maniac]

The Mexican president has absolutely no say in our internal policies/laws.

Adios.

[gubamyster]

ping

[DumpsterDiver]

But some say Fox's visit could be seen as meddling in U.S. politics and strengthen support for hard-liners who want to tighten immigration laws.

It's going to be seen "as meddling in U.S. politics" because that is exactly what it is.

[janetgreen]

Strange how Mexican politicians are allowed to butt into America's business, yet any such action by an American politician to butt into Mexico's business would be met with a brick wall.

The American people are sick to death of Vicente Fox and his arrogance. WHY won't any of our politicians tell him to butt out? Very fishy. Who's running America?

[Right Wing Professor]

We should take the opportunity of Fox's visit to learn about his country's policies for dealing with illegal aliens, which are far harsher than our own.

[NormsRevenge]

Events director Kevin Condi raises a new Mexican flag next to an Olmec head at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center Monday, May 22, 2006, in West Valley City, Utah. Vicente Fox, the president of Mexico, is scheduled to visit the center Tuesday as part of his visit to the United States. The sculpture is one of three in the nation and was given as a gift to the city from the governor of Veracruz, Mexico. The other two are at the Smithsonian and at the Chicago Field House. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

[NormsRevenge]

For additional security, police Det. Max Cooke and fireman Mike Reardon carry a surveillance camera to be temporarily installed on the roof at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, rear, Monday, May 22, 2006, in West Valley City, Utah. Vicente Fox, the president of Mexico, is scheduled to visit the center Tuesday as part of his visit to the United States. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

[reagan_fanatic]

Mexican president to meet with California Governor, L.A. Mayor (address state legislatures)

Perhaps he's just scouting out a retirement home in Mexico's newest state.

[NormsRevenge]

File photo showing Mexican riot police detaining a villager in San Salvador Atenco, about 50 km (31 miles) east of Mexico City May 4, 2006. Six years after Mexican President Vicente Fox set in motion ambitious plans to end rampant rights abuse, he has barely dented chronic problems like police torture and impunity for once powerful leaders, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. Picture taken May 4, 2006. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar/Files

[Uncle Hal]

Fox coming to the USA is good for our side. This should rile up the natives. I believe Chaney was in Sacramento yesterday and I did not hear that Arnold met with the VP. Arnold has got to cater to his base if he expects to get reelected.

[NormsRevenge]

Arnold has got to cater to his base

---

therein lies the rub


some aren't sure who his base is anymore..

It'll be a long hot summer on the old campaign trail we call California politicking.. Heck, we have a blitz of ads for the primary , a little lull and then , I don't even want think abto out it. If anyone needs a reason to go "Bot" mode about that, that is it .. ie; I hit Mute on the remote a lot. ;-)

[NormsRevenge]

correction to post 15
abto out
=
about

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Vicente has been drinking too much tequila! Put him in jail for disorderly conduct...

[La Enchiladita]

What has happened to Utah?

They have the largest mosque west of the Mississippi ...

And now they have a "Cultural Celebration Center" that flies the mexican flag?

Why aren't they flying the U.S. flag?

I think I'm having a bad dream.

[janetgreen]

Fox has failed miserably to lead his country into the 21st century. This miserable failure of a leader dares to meddle in American politics when he can't even manage his own country?

I hope Arnold tells him to mind his own business, and asks him about Mexican immigration policy.