Thread: Bush may skirt topic of immigration reform at Summit

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Wednesday, November 2, 2005 · Last updated 12:15 a.m. PT

Bush may skirt topic of immigration reform

By TRACI CARL
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER


MEXICO CITY -- Nearly every time President Bush travels south of the border, he promotes the idea of allowing more foreigners to work legally in the United States.

But Bush is likely to skirt the issue when he heads to Argentina this week to attend the Summit of the Americas, largely because the proposal has stalled in Congress - where many Republicans argue that securing U.S. borders should take priority.

Latin American leaders have held out hope that Bush's proposal would help some of the estimated 10 million people, most of them from the region, who live illegally in the United States.

The leaders, like Bush, have argued that handing out more work visas in the United States would help stem the booming business of immigrant smuggling that threatens to undermine U.S. security.

Bush last year introduced a plan that would let undocumented workers obtain three-year work visas. They could extend that for another three years, but would then have to return to their home countries for a year to apply for a new work permit.

He first floated the idea during the January 2004 Americas Summit in Monterrey, Mexico, making it a central topic of discussions there. Earlier, he and Mexican President Vicente Fox had agreed to work toward immigration reform in the United States, but the idea was shelved for two years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In Argentina, the topic will likely come up, but is not expected to play a central role.

Bush has not lost interest, but he has little to offer, considering that several immigration proposals are unlikely to even be debated in Congress until early next year, according to Andrew Selee, director of the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a policy research center focused on U.S.-Mexican relations.

"I would be surprised if (the Americans) play it up much at the Summit of the Americas," he said. "It's an interest, but I'm not sure they have much to take to the summit on this right now."

In Latin America, there are signs of frustration with Bush and his immigration proposal.

Mexico has been working closely with the administration to come up with a deal, but last week came out in favor of bipartisan legislation that would allow illegal immigrants already in the United States to keep working there for up to six years.

In an indirect criticism of Bush's plan, Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said the legislation, offered by Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., "comes closest to what Mexico wants."

Bush has said he does not want to reward people already living illegally north of the border, and prefers to give visas to those living in their home countries.

Despite the stalled proposals, Latin American leaders are still eager for a deal. Their concerns are echoed by many migrants living in the United States who have been pushing for recognition, especially as they play a key role in rebuilding hurricane-ravaged cities like New Orleans.

The two-day summit begins Friday, and the event gathering together 34 Western Hemisphere nations may again become a way to draw attention to the issue in the United States.

"If they hear enough voices in the hemisphere pressing them on this, it may tip their hand," Selee said.

No wonder this guys name is Jorge Bush. He spends more time in Latin American countries then he does here in the good ole USA. This guys fetish to appease American hating Hispanics is outright dangerous. I'm so sick and tired of this limp wristed weasel going over there to bow down to the interest of these third world global maggots.

The leaders, like Bush, have argued that handing out more work visas in the United States would help stem the booming business of immigrant smuggling that threatens to undermine U.S. security.

Absolute and complete rubbish. You want to stem the booming business of human smuggling then you need to put troops on our borders. This is ridiculous. Putting troops on our borders would solve this border crisis overnight. Bush knows this and so does every single politican in America. It is astounishing that in a time of war that we don't do this. It amazes me that the value of cheap labor is much more important than the sovereignty of our nation according to these filthy traitors. The politicos don't want to solve this problem, they want to profit from it, so until America wakes up and shows some backbone in the polls on election day, you will continue to see more half measures and more smoke and mirrors legislation that only makes the border crisis worse.

Bush last year introduced a plan that would let undocumented workers obtain three-year work visas. They could extend that for another three years, but would then have to return to their home countries for a year to apply for a new work permit.

Again, absolute and complete rubbish. These people aint gonna go home. You mean to tell me that all of a sudden the government is going to crack down on these people once their visas expire? I don't believe that for a second. They don't even enforce the laws on the visa overstays they have now, what would make this any different? I'll tell you what will happen people. These guest workers will be here for about 6 years and once their visas are up the politicos are going to say "well you have been working here for 6 years now, you already have a family here so lets just give you all green cards for all the hard work you've done". This is nothing short of a blanket amnesty in every since of the word and if any Republicrat tells you different then they are a liar and a cheat.

If I was in charge, not only would all these politicos that support open borders be impeached, but they would be deported as well. I believe that all those who support open borders including the politicans in any way shape or form should be deported from our country. Think that's extreme? Good because I'm proud to be an extremist and it's going to take extreme measures to get our country back.

Bush has said he does not want to reward people already living illegally north of the border, and prefers to give visas to those living in their home countries.

Jorge is a liar. His so called guest worker plan calls for giving visas to those already in this country illegally. He's full of crap.

"If they hear enough voices in the hemisphere pressing them on this, it may tip their hand," Selee said.

You sir can shut your stinkin, rotten, filthy rat hole you call a mouth. You have no say in how we conduct business in this country. You may not know this, but we are taking America back and enjoy your free ride while it last because once we oust Jorge and his traitorous goons from power then your free ride will end and nobody will give a hoot what you want. I personally do feel sorry for the people in your region because you can't clean up the sewer you call a country, so you try to dump all of your problems on us. Well no more. We will kick your unwanted citizens out of this country, we will eventually have those illegitimate not so free trade contracts torn to pieces and the only thing left for you and your puppeteers will be to either be forced to take care of your own or watch your countrymen and women revolt against you while they attempt to oust you from power and start your own country over. Either way your joy ride is over.

" The valuable role they played in New Orleans"

Esquiroles?