Bush Touts Immigration Plan At Summit

North American Leaders Talk About Strengthening Relations, Borders

(CBS/AP)  "Now we have the alliance both for security and for prosperity, one as important as the other," Fox said.

The meetings among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada are aimed at strengthening North American relations and building on the trade increases that have resulted from the 12-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada and Mexico are the United States' top two trading partners.

Harper, in his first meeting with Mr. Bush since taking office two months ago with a promise to strengthen ties with the United States, spoke glowingly of the countries' close relationship — but made it clear there is a serious sticking point. He said he was taking Mr. Bush "at face value" when the U.S. president said he wanted to resolve a long-standing dispute over U.S. tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber.

"I just reminded the president that Canada's position on this is very clear, and if we don't see a resolution, Canada is certainly going to continue to pursue all its legal options, as well as enhanced support for our industry, through this battle," Harper warned.

For the most part in their public appearances, the leaders spoke about how they are working together. That was especially the case on immigration, with Mr. Bush and President Fox clearly trying to sway a divided Congress to create a program to allow illegal immigrants — an estimated 6 million of them from Mexico — to work temporarily in the United States in low-paying jobs.

The leaders of the three countries will meet again in Canada next year, CBS News correspondent Peter Maer reports.

Meanwhile, the Senate this week continues to debate an immigration bill that includes a guest worker program. The version that passed the Republican-controlled House late last year took a get-tough approach — calling for more fences along the border and tougher penalties for those who sneak across — and did not create the guest worker program that Mr. Bush wants.

But Mr. Bush said he's optimistic that disagreements on Capitol Hill can be worked out.

"I told the president that I am committed to having a comprehensive immigration bill on my desk," Mr. Bush said. "And by comprehensive, I mean not only border security — a bill that has border security in it, a bill that has interior enforcement in it — but a bill that has a worker permit program in it."

"I would love to have a strong vibrant democracy on our southern borders," Mr. Bush said at the news conference Friday.

The issue has united the U.S. and Mexican leaders, whose friendship dates back to Mr. Bush's time as Texas governor but was strained over Fox's objections to the war in Iraq. But immigration has divided Mr. Bush's Republican party, with business interests who want cheap labor battling conservatives who want a tough policy against illegal immigrants.

At a news conference Thursday in Washington, a dozen House Republicans blasted the Senate bill. Mr. Bush was not immune to their criticism.

"I don't think he's concerned about alienating voters, he's not running for re-election," said Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado. "I wish he'd think about the party — and, of course, I also wish he'd think about the country."