Fox Challenges Bush On Migration
Mexican President Vicente Fox, opening a state visit, challenged Washington Wednesday to reach an agreement by year's end to allow millions of Mexicans to work legally in the United States.
Standing next to President Bush on the White House South Lawn, Fox wasted little time diving into the most politically potent issue separating the two neighbors – the plight of the estimated 3 million Mexicans who live and work in the United States illegally.
Fox said these migrants should be recognized as "human beings and as workers whose hard work is a daily contribution to the prosperity of this great nation."
He said: "For this reason we must and we can reach an agreement on migration before the end of this very year which will allow us before the end of our respective terms to make sure that there are no Mexicans who have not entered this country legally in the United States."
Mr. Bush did not embrace Fox's ambitious deadline, but said "there is no more important relationship" than Mexico's.
Asked whether he thought Fox's timetable was too ambitious, Mr. Bush pretended not to understand the question and joked in Spanish, "I can't hear."
Fox appeared to be calling for an agreement that would be ready for consideration by the respective legislatures of the two countries before the end of the year. But U.S. officials have said that details such as timetables and the numbers of Mexicans who would benefit under an agreement have not yet been broached.
The public challenge surprised U.S. officials who have been trying to lower expectations for a deal on the complex and politically risky issue. Even some Mexican officials said they had no notice that Fox would push for quick action.
Mr. Bush's trip to Mexico in February raised hopes in both countries that an agreement on the migration issue would come quickly, but the leaders have sounded more cautious in recent weeks as congressional conservatives raised objections.
On the eve of their meetings, Mr. Bush said the complexity of the issue bars a quick deal and acknowledged that he has "a lot more selling to do" in Congress. Fox said Sunday it would take four to six years to complete a comprehensive U.S.-Mexican immigration overhaul.
Bush advisers tried to play down Fox's remarks, though several administration officials said afterward they would have preferred to avoid the added pressure of a public deadline. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it is impossible to predict whether a comprehensive agreement can be hammered out this year, given the unease in Congress and fluidity of the talks.
National security adviser Condoleezza Rice said it would be nice to reach an agreement by year's end, but cautioned, "The president shares the desire to o it quickly, but to get it right."
Mr. Bush has acknowledged the difficulty of granting legal status to people who have broken U.S. immigration laws, but nonetheless says it would be in the nation's interest to match hardworking Mexicans with American employers.
Fox's remarks reflected the political pressures he faces at home to strike an agreement with the U.S. He hopes to quiet critics in Mexico who say he promised much during his landmark election campaign and has delivered little.
Mr. Bush hopes a close relationship with Fox will help him meet his top political goal: expanding his support among Hispanics, the fastest growing voting bloc in America.
In his remarks at the welcoming ceremony, Mr. Bush said the United States and Mexico "have a historic opportunity to build an authentic partnership grounded in trust and in freedom" and called for a "Century of the Americas."
"We understand that our two nations must work together in a spirit of respect and common purpose to seize opportunities and tackle challenges on the issues that affect the lives of our citizens, including migration, the environment, drugs, crime, corruption and education," he said.
After the arrival ceremony, which featured music from a historic fife-and-drum corps wearing bright red jackets and dark tri-corner hats, the two leaders held private talks in the Oval Office.
A state dinner, the first of the Bush administration, was planned for Wednesday night. Fox is to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday, then fly to Toledo, Ohio, with Mr. Bush to speak to Hispanic groups.
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