http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/130731

Fox on visit to U.S.: Fixing immigration up to both countries
The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.25.2006

AKIMA, Wash. — Mexican President Vicente Fox told hundreds of farmworkers here Wednesday that neither his country nor the United States can go it alone in trying to fix immigration problems.
"It's clear the purpose is to reach an agreement that can give security, that can give legality, that can give flow to the migrant people," Fox said in Spanish on his second day of a four-day visit to the West. "I think we are closer to the end of this route. This is a shared responsibility, the immigration reform."

Fox's speech came on the same day the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to limit debate on election-year immigration legislation. That cleared the way for final passage later this week of a bill that calls for tougher border security as well as an eventual chance at citizenship for millions in this country illegally.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire specifically pressed Fox to visit the eastern part of her state, where thousands of Hispanic workers — many of them illegal — labor in agriculture and comprise up to 90 percent of the population in some communities. Some Washington farmers fear a border crackdown could create a shortage of workers.

In Yakima, Fox toured a 700-acre cherry, apple and pear orchard and an apple-packing warehouse owned by Rene and Carmen Garcia. Their operation, G&G Orchards, is believed to be the only Hispanic-owned apple warehouse in Washington state.

"So far, we're looking for a bigger crop this year, and I'm getting nervous," Rene Garcia said. "We're not seeing the people circulating around looking for jobs."

Six busloads of farmworkers, farm owners and others welcomed Fox.
Enrique Diaz, 67, a farmworker originally from Colima, Mexico, has lived in the central Washington city of Pasco for 30 years. He said he came here to make a better living and has been a citizen since 1976.
Diaz said he hopes the main message Fox walks away with is the need for amnesty.

"There's a lot of pressure. They're both suffering — people who aren't residents and people who are," Diaz said.
Fox flew to Washington state to meet with farmers in the Yakima Valley and Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski after an appearance in Utah.

Today, Fox is to attend a breakfast with business leaders in Seattle and have lunch with other business groups. He then heads to California to address lawmakers and meet with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Schwarzenegger said he would tell Fox that his government needs to do more to stop illegal immigration.

He also stepped closer Wednesday to saying he would help carry out President Bush's plan to send National Guard troops to the border to back up the Border Patrol.

"I am prepared to commit the California National Guard troops in support of Border Patrol operations, but, as I said, it has to be on a temporary basis," Schwarzenegger said.
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