http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=5052868

Mexico's ambassador to the US says immigration debate is "emotional"

CHICAGO Mexico's ambassador to the United States says America has the right to debate its own laws on immigration.

But Carlos de Icaza says border enforcement won't be successful without Mexico's participation.

De Icaza told the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations lat night that illegal immigration won't stop if it's treated as a law enforcement issue -- or by fortifying the two-thousand-mile U-S-Mexico border with a fence.

De Icaza admits the heated debate is "emotional." He says progress will only occur if the U-S government expands guest worker programs to allow foreigners enter the country legally and work.

Illegal immigration has become a contentious issue this year in Washington, with both House and Senate bills to deal with the country's estimated eleven (M) million illegal immigrants.

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