 IMMIGRATION MAJOR TOPIC AT BUSH-FOX SUMMIT
In remarks following their meeting last week, Mexican President Vicente Fox noted the importance of the fact that US President George W. Bush’s first foreign trip was to Mexico, the first US President to make Mexico his first foreign visit. This certainly indicates that under the Bush Administration, the relationship between the US and Mexico will grow stronger. President Bush noted the wide range of topics the two discussed, from energy needs and drug control to expanding educational opportunities and reforming immigration policies.
Responding to questions from reporters, when asked about his support for an amnesty for Mexicans living and working in the US, President Fox said that while immigration was discussed, the meeting was not the sort at which decisions or detailed plans would be adopted. He did say that he spoke about possibilities for a temporary work program, ways to combat violence against immigrants, and ways to protect undocumented workers in the US from employer abuses. While no agreements on the issue were reached, Fox said that “there is a new attitude, there is a new way of approaching things, much more positive approach to things on this issue of migration.”
Though relations between the two leaders were cordial, many Mexicans were disappointed with the results of the meeting, especially with the US bombing of Iraq that occurred on the day of the meeting, taking much of the attention away from issues directly relating to US-Mexican relations. Many were also disappointed that no firm resolutions were made on immigration issues.
Despite some disappointment, the meeting did yield at least one solid result on immigration, the development of a series of high-level negotiations to be headed by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Attorney General John Ashcroft and Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda and Interior Minister Santiago Creel. According to the Guanajuato Agreement, which forms the basis for the commission, its purpose will be to develop “an orderly framework for migration,” one “that ensures humane treatment, legal security, and dignifies labor conditions.” The commission will mark the first time the two countries have treated immigration as a joint project, rather than something each dealt with internally.
According to Fox, he and Bush will be meeting every six months to discuss migration issues.
Speaking on a weekend talk show after the meeting, Fox called on Bush to legalize Mexican workers in the US. During his weekly radio broadcast, Fox indicated that Bush had agreed with the basic idea of legalizing Mexican workers. A similar proposal is being supported by Sen. Phil Gramm (R-TX), which would grant one-year visas to Mexican workers, but would not grant them permanent residence.
The Bush administration is weighing several options to address undocumented immigration from Mexico. The administration is firmly opposed to an amnesty, but has suggested that it would support a plan like Gramm’s.
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