http://www.mexiconews.com.mx/18223.html

Migration deal seen as positive measure
El Universal
May 12, 2006

Mexico applauds deal on immigration reform, hopes for approval. The government applauded a deal reached by U.S. Senate leaders Thursday on reviving a broad immigration bill that could give millions of illegal immigrants a chance to become U.S. citizens

The agreement brokered by U.S. Senate Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist, from the state of Tennessee, and Democrat Minority Leader Harry Reid, from Nevada, breaks a weeks-long political stalemate.

The leaders said they will try to pass it before May 30.

The Foreign Relations Secretariat said in a statement Thursday afternoon that the deal is a "positive step toward the approval of a migration accord." Mexico also will uphold its responsibility in securing its border with the United States, the news release said.

President Vicente Fox, who finishes his six-year term this year, has made a migration accord with the United States a top priority. His efforts were sidelined after the Sept. 11 attacks, when Washington focused more on border security rather than legalizing undocumented immigrants.