U.S. Hopes to Move Forward on Migration Accord with Mexico
Powell says Bush will engage Congress on temporary worker proposal
As President Bush looks to his second term, he hopes to move forward on a migration agreement with Mexico, particularly the temporary workers proposal he announced in January 2004, according to Secretary of State Colin Powell.
En route to the 21st meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission (BNC) November 9 in Mexico City, Mexico, Powell outlined the issues he and other members of the U.S. delegation will discuss with their Mexican counterparts.
He noted that immigration will be the leading issue at the BNC and indicated that with the recent U.S. presidential elections concluded, the Bush administration will increasingly look to advance a new temporary worker program to match willing foreign workers with willing U.S. employers.
"In light of the campaign and other things that were going on, we weren't able to engage the Congress on it. But now that the election is behind us, and the president is looking to the second term," Powell said, "the president intends to engage Congress on this."
Powell added that President Bush has also made it clear to Mexican President Vicente Fox that he wants to move forward on immigration reform, beginning with the temporary worker proposal.
Given the conclusion of the recent elections in the United States and the progress made in securing U.S. borders since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the secretary said that progress on immigration reform may be possible.
"I sense that there could be a more favorable environment," Powell said.
Nonetheless, he pointed out that immigration "is always a difficult issue before the Congress. And I can't predict yet how a new Congress, with a new line-up, will look at this."
Powell said that some progress on migration and border security issues will be announced in conjunction with the BNC meeting. He indicated that in addition to migration, water and education will be among the other issues discussed in Mexico City.
Overall, Powell said that things are "going well with Mexico."
In response to a question, Powell said he is "not deeply troubled" by the trend toward leftist governments in South America, most recently the election of leftist president Tabare Vazquez in Uruguay.
The secretary said that he is not surprised that South Americans are making different choices to deliver the kind of progress they have expected, but not yet seen.
He pointed out that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva came to office with leftist credentials, yet has implemented responsible fiscal and economic policies that are fostering solid and sustained growth.
"You run on one platform but you tend to govern on something that will produce results, or you're going to get elected out the next time around," Powell explained. "And so, we will see what happens in Uruguay...I want to work with whoever the people elect to these countries. That is our responsibility".
