[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
[March 20, 2002]
[Pages 454-456]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]
Interview With Lourdes Meluza of Univision
March 20, 2002
Visit to Latin America
Ms. Meluza. Some countries in Latin America feel that after 9/11,
the region has been relegated--or has lost its priority that you have so
clearly stated in the past. Do you plan with this trip to reinsert the
region in your priorities, in your agenda? And if so, what are the
substantive issues to prove it?
The President. Sure. First of all, the trip will give me a chance to
say again that the best foreign policy for America is to have a
peaceful, democratic, and prosperous neighborhood.
Secondly--and it should be noted that my first stop is to Mexico.
Obviously, there's the development conference, which is an important
conference. That, in itself, will help me talk about how we've committed
a lot of money to helping alleviate world poverty. And there's poverty
in our neighborhood.
It will also give me a chance to have a bilateral meeting with my
friend Vicente Fox to talk about the importance of Mexican-U.S.
relations. That relationship has not diminished. I mean, that
relationship is as strong as ever. We've got huge amounts of trade going
back and forth, a lot of people going back and forth, and we're going to
talk about initiatives that make the border policy more productive,
better, more efficient, and at the same time protect both our countries
from terrorist threats.
My trip to Peru will give me a chance to talk about the Andean Trade
Preference Act. I want to--that needs to be passed by the United States
Congress, and it needs to be passed quickly. This will give me a chance
to, on the one hand, say to our friends there, not only Toledo but to the leaders, that I want the Andean Trade
Preference Act; I'm committed to it; I will fight for it; and then at
the same time send a message to Congress.
Y por fin, El Salvador is a Central American country, and again it
will give me a
[[Page 455]]
chance to talk about the importance of that region.
Don't worry, we've got plenty of time.
Temporary Protected Status
Ms. Meluza. Will you offer, sir, TPS, temporary protective status,
which Central American regions, nations are looking for?
The President. Right, they are. In terms of the El Salvadoran TPS
status, I was a strong supporter of it in the past. It doesn't come up
until September of this year. I think it's important for me to withhold
judgment until we are close to the date, but I--let me just put it this
way: I was a supporter in the past, a vocal supporter of TPS status, and
I will express my opinion at the appropriate time.
Mexico-U.S. Border Policy
Ms. Meluza. Sir, you will visit the border tomorrow, El Paso. Do you
believe that consolidating the agencies that handle the border will
strengthen the security in the border? And will you send a
recommendation to Congress?
The President. I'm studying different options. But here's what I
want to achieve: A border that recognizes how much traffic there is,
normal traffic--a border that recognizes we've got trucks and cars
moving goods and services throughout both our countries and a border
policy that recognizes there are hundreds of people going back and forth
on a daily basis who have done this for years on years, brothers and
sisters, sons and daughters, on both sides of la frontera; and on the
other hand, that we've got to work with our Mexican friends to make sure
the border has got the best infrastructure, the best technology, the
best intelligence sharing to make sure that we stop the ``coyotes,'' the
smugglers, and the terrorists. And we can do both.
But the border policy needs to be reviewed. And if it is achieved,
if it's better achieved by a new construct, then I'll support it. And I
just want to make sure that I get all the facts before I make my
decision.
Immigration Policy
Ms. Meluza. Sir, in the past, immigration had a high priority on
your agenda with Mexico. When you sit down with President Fox this time,
will you bring back again meaningful conversations about immigration
policy, a wide immigration policy? And will you jump-start again these
negotiations?
The President. Si, por cierto. I mean, immigration's a big issue.
It's a big issue for Mexico; it's a big issue for the United States. And
we're starting with what we call 245(i), which is needed. And I want to
remind people that we can't get it out of the Senate. I've spoken out on
it very clearly; I did so again yesterday; I did the day before. I
worked with the House to get it out. And people say, ``Well, that's not
enough. We need to continue a dialog.'' But it's a start. And so I would
hope the advocates here in Washington, DC, will be up there lobbying the
United States Senate, so we can actually get something done.
Secondly--it's very important--I still believe we need a policy that
recognizes there are employers willing to employ people from Mexico, for
example, and there are willing workers who are looking for jobs. And
we've got to recognize that as reality and make that work.
Ms. Meluza. So when you talk about willing workers and willing
employees--employers, do you mean to say that some here in the States
will benefit from this policy again?
The President. Yes----
Ms. Meluza. Not only a temporary workers program?
The President. Well, we'll see. I mean, that needs to be discussed.
But all I can tell you is, the basic premise of good policy is to say
there are employers in the United States who are looking for somebody to
work, and there are people from Mexico who are willing to do the job.
And our
[[Page 456]]
legal system and our immigration system ought to recognize that
important relationship and make it work.
Ms. Meluza. Even those who are here now?
The President. That's very much of a possibility, of course. I mean,
obviously, they're here doing a job that somebody wants them to do. But
there's got to be the matching of the willing employer and willing
employee. And if they're here now, fine. They ought to be discussed, and
they ought to be a part of the mix, of course.
Ms. Meluza. I think that my time is up. Thank you very much, sir.
The President. Thank you. Good job.
Ms. Meluza. Thank you very much, sir. Lots of pressure.
The President. You look great in red.
Note: The interview began at 11:01 a.m. in the Map Room at the White
House. In his remarks, the President referred to President Vicente Fox
of Mexico; and President Alejandro Toledo of Peru. He also referred to
section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which expired
April 30, 2001. A tape was not available for verification of the content
of this interview.