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Fox, Napolitano address U.S.-Mexico immigration issuesMexican president begins tour of three border states
PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Mexican President Vicente Fox stressed the importance of continuing a dialogue on immigration issues with the United States as he started a tour of three border states. Fox said Tuesday he spoke with Arizona officials who have proposed in Congress a guest worker program for Mexican workers. "This is one more avenue to build with the migration issue as well as with the U.S. government," he said. Accompanied by Mexican state and congressional officials, educators and business leaders, Fox met privately with Arizona officials as he sought to expand trade relations and push opportunities for Mexican workers. Fox found support for a guest worker program in Gov. Janet Napolitano, who said establishing such an agreement would enhance safety at entry points, cut the need for smugglers and curb the death toll along Arizona's border. "It worries us, pains us the people who lose their lives in Arizona despite campaigns for prevention," Fox said. Illegal border crossing becoming more violentPassage from Mexico into Arizona, one of the hottest illegal entry points on the U.S.-Mexico border, has become more violent. On Tuesday, four men were killed along Interstate 10 in a migrant smuggling-related shooting. Four people were taken into custody. "It does not dissuade me from urging the federal government to re-examine its immigration policies," Napolitano said. "We bear the brunt of a policy that does not recognize the need for a flow of people back and forth." Fox's wife, Marta Sahagun, said she was focused on ensuring that the rights of women and children who cross the border into the United States are protected. She planned to push for education and health care of immigrants. But Sahagun also said, "We want to create each time more and more opportunities in our country so that our children can remain in their nation." Fox said he planned to continue initiatives that improve the Mexican economy and stem the tide of immigration into the United States, such as giving more scholarships to students. Fox and his wife arrived in New Mexico on Tuesday night. The Mexican president planned to address the state Legislature, meet with members of the business community and give a public speech at Santa Fe Plaza on Wednesday. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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