Posted on 05/25/2006 7:31:17 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Mexican President Vicente Fox on Thursday called the U.S. Senate's landmark vote on immigration policy a "monumental step forward" that marks a historic moment in the relationship between Mexico and the U.S.
"It is a moment that millions of families have been hoping for. This is the moment that millions of people have been working for," he told a joint session of the California Legislature. "Today's historic vote is a monumental step forward, but we recognize that there is more debate ahead."
Fox spoke just hours after the U.S. Senate approved sweeping reforms that include tighter border security and a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.
Fox spoke carefully, stressing that Mexico and the United States share common economic and security interests and should cooperate to solve the immigration problem. But his remarks were not greeted with universal appreciation.
While Democrats applauded as Fox spoke of the need for a "legal, safe and orderly migration policy with full respect for human rights and labor rights," Republicans did not.
Fox was scheduled to meet privately afterward with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, their first meeting since the movie star became governor. Schwarzenegger said he would stress Mexico's responsibility for illegal immigration, while also touching on environmental and other issues of common interest.
California, the state with the highest number of illegal immigrants, is the last stop on Fox's four-day visit to the western U.S., which also included appearances in Utah and Washington. On Friday, he will speak to the California Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento before leaving for Los Angeles, where he is scheduled to meet Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
During his previous stops, Fox outlined a five-point position on immigration, saying Mexico does not support illegal migration and must expand economic growth so migration from his country is no longer a necessity.
Before California lawmakers, he noted the economic ties between Mexico and the U.S. and stressed the need for continued investment in the Mexican economy.
"Over the years, we have moved away from a notion of distant neighbors to one of strategic partners," he said. "We have pursued this course with the firm conviction that a legal, safe, orderly migration policy with full respect to human rights and labor rights will benefit the security and prosperity of both of our nations."
The timing of the visit - as the U.S. Senate approved the most far-reaching immigration reforms in two decades - is awkward for the Mexican president.
The bill passed Thursday in the Senate calls for hiring additional Border Patrol agents, as well as the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers along the border. It also includes a guest worker program and a chance at citizenship for many of those in the country illegally if they meet a series of conditions that include paying a fine and back taxes.
The bill will have to be reconciled with one passed in December by the House, which voted to make it a felony to be in the country illegally.
President Bush, meanwhile, has called on governors to send 6,000 National Guard troops to the southern border to back up the Border Patrol, a plan Fox opposes. Schwarzenegger has raised questions about Bush's plan, although on Wednesday he said he was prepared to go along with it as long as the deployment is temporary.
"Mexico believes that it will take more than just enforcement or building walls to truly solve the challenges caused by the immigration phenomenon," Fox said in his Thursday evening address. "Mexico wants to be part of the solution, not part of the problem."
Some California GOP lawmakers were critical of the Mexican president's visit, and about a half dozen boycotted his speech.
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, was among a group of Republican lawmakers who wore yellow buttons reading "No mas" to protest illegal immigration. They also were unhappy that Fox had declined an invitation to meet with them, even though he met before his speech with Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles.
"It was my silent protest to tell the president, 'Shame on you for shunning the invitation by a group of legislators who wanted to talk policy,'" Spitzer said.
He said he agreed with Fox's desire to expand economic growth and social opportunities in Mexico but questioned Fox's track record on those issues so far.
"I heard a lot of political platitudes," Spitzer said. "He set out a roadmap that if it were implemented would have the greatest incentive to reduce immigration."
Fox struck a cooperative tone during his address, saying the destinies of both countries were linked despite the challenges posed by illegal immigration.
"Let us work together as neighbors, as friends, as family," he said.
It was the California Legislature's first joint session other than annual speeches by the governor and chief justice since Spain's former prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, spoke to lawmakers in 2003.
The illegal immigration issue has been a political land mine in California for a decade. There is strong sentiment among voters to stem it, but the emerging Hispanic electorate is sensitive to anything that smacks of discrimination.
California's estimated 2.4 million illegal immigrants work predominantly on farms, in construction and in the service industry, from hotels to restaurants.
They also are a major source of income to Mexico. Mexicans living in the United States - legally and illegally - sent home about $20 billion last year. And Latin American immigrants in California, the majority of whom are Mexican, send more money home than from any other state, more than $9.6 billion in 2004.
The country is economically important to California, as well, and is the state's No. 1 trading partner. In 2005, California's exports to Mexico totaled almost $18 billion, second only to Texas, which exported $50 billion. California's exports to Mexico directly or indirectly support 177,000 jobs, according to Schwarzenegger's office.
Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman, R-Fullerton, would have liked Fox to give more specifics about his immigration plans but said he believed the true purpose of his visit to the U.S. was to attract business investment.
"The economy is probably a higher priority for him than immigration," Ackerman said. "I think long term, developing a sound economy in Mexico will probably help immigration."
Mexican President Vicente Fox speaks to members of the California Legislature at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on Thursday, May 25, 2006. Fox arrived in California Thursday amid intense debate over immigration and as the U.S. Senate approved sweeping reforms that include tighter border security and a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater)
Of course Fox likes it. As President of Mexico he gets to dump his massive unemployment problem onto the U.S. The will of the American people has now officially been subordinated to the will of the globalists.
Vicente with his victory tour really spits in our eye.
I am appalled that this guy is allowed to roam our country and spread his "illegal immigration is good for America" propaganda. This just sucks!
65% of births in LA County are to illegal aliens.
If Fox likes the bill what more do we need to know it is a really bad bill?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1617693/posts?page=1
Must read article.
I hope he has had his shots, been wormed, deloused and isn't infectious.
1/4 of inmates in Los Angeles county jails are illegal aliens.
If he likes it, it's the surest sign that it ain't no good!!
Yep, illegal births are very high.
Yeah right AP, it is exactly why he is here. These reporters expect people to believe this stuff.
Glad to see such sterling example of bipartisanship. Will El Presidente being going back to the White House after his tour, or will he be on holiday in Mexico?
I'm overjoyed that the bill meets Mexico's approval. Now if Congress could only do something that would serve Americans.
Then fix your own dang country .. if it didn't suck so bad .. your people wouldn't be running away in droves
You are my neighbor. Can't do nothing about that. But you sure as He11 aren't my friend and I'd be ashamed to call you family.
Will somebody please revoke this asshat's visa?
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