Joint Press Conference

Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 6:41 PM

JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER

by Rob Sanchez
March 23, 2005 No. 1221

Today Bush, Fox, and Martin had a joint press conference. Bush made it
very clear that he wants to open our borders to anyone who wants to
work in the United States, and he emphasized that it makes no
difference what country they come from as long as "there's a willing
worker and a willing employer".

He also expressed support for implementing a stronger NAFTA (no details
were released) as well as urging Congress to pass CAFTA and the FTAA.

Most importantly Bush told Congress to be "commonsensical" about these
issues.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59996-2005Mar23.html
Transcript: Bush, Fox, and Martin Joint Press Conference
FDCH E-Media, Inc.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005; 1:20 PM

In terms of the border, listen we've got a large border. We've got a
large border with Canada; we've got a large border with Mexico.

BUSH: There are some million people a day crossing the border, from
Mexico to the United States, which presents a common issue, and that
is, how do we make sure those crossing the border are not terrorists or
drug runners or gun runners or smugglers.

And I have told the president that we will -- I will continue to push
for reasonable, common-sense immigration policy with the United States
Congress.

This is an issue with which I have got a lot of familiarity. After all,
I was the governor of this great state for six years, and I dealt with
this issue a lot, not only with President Fox's predecessor, but with
governors of border states and -- Mexican border states. Tamaulipas and
Nuevo Leon.

And I know the issue well. And I will continue to call upon Congress to
be commonsensical about this issue.

And the basis of the policy is that if there is a job opening which an
American won't do, in other words, and there's a willing worker and a
willing employer, that job ought to be filled on a legal basis, no
matter where the person comes from.

BUSH: That makes sense.

We need a compassionate policy. In other words, if this in place, then
someone will be able to come and work from Mexico in the United States
and be able to go home, back and forth across the border in a legal
fashion.

It seems to make sense to me. It's a commonsensical way of doing
things.

I think we ought to have a policy that does not jeopardize those who've
stood in line trying to become legal citizens. We want to reward those
who have been patient in the process. There're plenty of Mexican
citizens who have applied for a citizenship. Their position in line
should not be preempted because there's a worker program.

But there's a better way to enforce our border. And one way is to be
compassionate and decent about the workers who are coming here to the
United States.

And Mr. President, you've got my pledge I'll continue working on it.
You don't have my pledge that Congress will act, because I'm not a
member of the legislative branch.

BUSH: But you will have my pledge that I will continue to push our
Congress to come up with rational, common-sense immigration policy.

BUSH: I think the future of our three countries will best be served by
establishing trade relations with the rest of the hemisphere.

BUSH: It's, kind of, the most logical extension of a vision that
recognizes that common trading areas are going to be needed in order to
maintain the lifestyle, particularly as the Far East begins to emerge
as strong competitors for capital and goods and services and markets.

We started to advance this idea in Quebec City, as a matter of fact, in
2000 with the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. To me that's the
most practical extension of the recognition of the realities that we're
all going to be facing as the 21st century evolves.

In order to make sure that the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas has
a chance to succeed, it is important to show the sovereign nations in
South America that trade has worked amongst the three of us.

BUSH: NAFTA's been a success. All you've got to do is go down to the
border of our state. If you could have gone down 10 years ago and gone
down today, you would have seen a marked difference of quality of life
on both sides of the border. I mean, it's been a very successful
program in order to lift the standard of living in Mexico and the
United States.

And I think when people see that we're willing to continue to work
through issues -- Canada, the United States and Mexico -- it may make
it more palatable for countries to recognize the benefits of trade.

So the division you asked about in your question as to what kind of
union might there be, I see one based upon free trade that would then
entail commitment to markets and democracy, transparency, rule of law.

BUSH: To this extent, we have entered into an agreement with the
Central American nations called CAFTA. I think it's -- I know it's an
important part of the prosperity agenda throughout the hemisphere. And
I asked Congress to make sure that they approve CAFTA this year.

Thank you.

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