Gonzales finds border issues a little personal
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3106325
March 28, 2005, 8:49 pm
Gonzales finds border issues a little personal
U.S. attorney general, a son of immigrants, will travel to Mexico
By JUSTIN GEST
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
WASHINGTON - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says his family history will inform his approach to policy when he discusses border and immigration issues with Mexican officials this week.28
Gonzales, a Houstonian who is the first Hispanic to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer, is expected to meet with his Mexican counterpart, Rafael Macedo de la Concha, and President Vicente Fox on Wednesday in Mexico City. He also will meet with other Cabinet members.
"Relationships are important," Gonzales said in an interview. "I want to spend some time to get to know some of their leaders."
Justice Department officials said the visit will include discussions about drug trafficking, illegal immigration and border security.
Gonzales' parents were Mexican immigrants, and he says he pictures their faces and those of other immigrants he has met when he considers border control issues.
He emphasizes the need to facilitate movement by thousands of law-abiding Mexicans who cross the border each day for work.
Still, he insisted that his "own personal views, personal allegiances, and my loyalty to the president have to be set aside to support the law."
Gonzales backs White House policy to expand the U.S. guest worker program, which would legalize the status of some of the 10.3 million undocumented Mexican workers in the United States, a move that Fox has demanded for years, and some Republicans on Capitol Hill have decried.
Fox has spoken consistently in favor of full amnesty and against the construction of more walls along the U.S. border.
:roll: DUH! I knew when Bush appointed Gonzales, that he was part of Bush's 'open borders' plan. :evil:
