Steve Quayle News Alerts

Sept. 6, 2001
WASHINGTON - Mexican President Vicente Fox pressed his case for immigration overhaul to Congress today, urging greater trust between neighbors as the basis for "a new partnership in North America."

Speaking in English, Fox told a joint session of the Senate and House, "The time has come for Mexico and the United States to trust each other."

"Trust will be essential to achieve our goals," he said.

The charismatic former Coca-Cola executive, on the second day of a state visit, made his case for opening the way for many of the estimated 3 million Mexicans now in the United States illegally to gain legal status.

Yesterday, Fox surprised Bush administration officials by suggesting that immigration overhaul be completed by the end of this year.

Sentiment in Congress runs strong on both sides of the immigration issue. Administration officials have suggested it was unlikely that a formula could be worked out by the end of this year, given divisions on the amnesty issue in Congress.

Fox believes those Mexicans in the United States are entitled to legalized status.

He switched back and forth between English and Spanish.

Fox said that he and President Bush in recent months "have already shown our willingness to trust each other by agreeing to discuss this most complex matter."

"As the history of this country shows, migration has always rendered more economic benefits to the United States than the cost it entails.

"Many among you have a parent or a grandparent who came into this country as an immigrant from another land."

And, in remarks aimed at the Mexicans in the United States, Fox said, "Mexico needs you. We need your talent and entrepreneurship. We need you to come home one day and play a part in building a strong Mexico."

He said he recognized that many on both sides of the 2,000-mile-long border viewed closer ties "risky and perhaps even unwise."

But he said he didn't believe the adage that "good fences make good neighbors."

One big hurdle immigration reform advocates face is opposition from House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., who said last month there is no chance of enacting reform legislation until Congress approves reform of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

"It is foolish and unproductive to consider large changes to immigration laws - and give the INS new responsibilities - while only offering the same bureaucratic structure that has failed in the past," he said.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., chairman of the congressional immigration reform caucus, said the prospects are not good for congressional approval of legislation that would legalize undocumented Mexican migrants.

"It sends the wrong message," Tancredo said in an interview. He said people should not be rewarded after they "forget about American law, sneak into the country and avoid detection."
But House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, says Mexican immigrants are being treated unfairly. "You talk about families that are suffering."

AT A GLANCE:
Highlights of a joint U.S.-Mexican statement being released today in connection with the trip by President Bush and President Vicente Fox to Toledo, Ohio:

IMMIGRATION

* Both nations committed to "forging a new and realistic approach to migration," a process that "is safe, orderly, legal and dignified." The leaders' goals include "matching willing workers with willing employers, serving the social and economic needs of both countries, respecting the human dignity of all migrants, regardless of their status" and making sure that "migration takes place through safe and legal channels."

* The leaders committed their countries to further discussions on migration, including a temporary worker program and the "status of undocumented Mexicans in the United States."

CRIME

* The leaders praised their nations' efforts to cooperate on legal issues, including migrant smuggling and other "transport crimes."

* The Department of Justice signed an agreement to share assets seized in joint investigations with Mexico.

TRADE AND ECONOMY

* Both leaders expressed strong support for the launch of new world trade negotiations in November.

* They agreed to back immediate measures to strengthen the North American Development Bank.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/local/archive/01/immig01/9_6_01fox_side1.html