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American Morning

Both President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox Say They're Committed to Overhaul of Immigration Policies

Aired September 06, 2001 - 09:03   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Both President Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox say they are committed to an overhaul of immigration policies. And today, Fox will present his ideas in a speech to Congress. Last night, he was the guest of honor at a state dinner. We get more on U.S.-Mexico relations now from CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett.

Major, keep up the day for us.

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Jeanne.

Talk about immigration issue first, a key issue between the United States and Mexico, and getting a great deal of attention at the State visit yesterday.

In his opening remarks on the South Lawn, Vincente Fox said he hoped to achieve an agreement with the United States on immigration policy and overhaul that policy by the end of the year. That took the White House by surprise. They don't think that's really a realistic deadline, but they also believe that Mr. Fox said that to prove to his countrymen can he come to the United States and speak truthfully and candidly in public with George Bush, taking their cause to the White House directly. Members of Congress said they are interested in changing immigration laws.

And yesterday, after meeting with the president, House Speaker Dennis Hastert said some type of reform could be undertaken that would deal with guest workers in the United States.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. DENNIS HASTERT (R-IL), HOUSE SPEAKER: There needs to be some type of a guest worker protocol set up, so that those people can have legitimacy to the work they do, plus the people who hire them know that they are protected in the courts of law. So I think we need to move forward with that. I think there's some common sense type of solution to that problem.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GARRETT: Now, Jeanne, a guest worker would be someone who has been in the United States, undocumented, but would receive a legal status, saying that you work for this certain employer, do this certain type of job. That's one idea. There are many others on the table.

Of course, last night, it was less about policy and much more about pomp and circumstance. The very first state dinner of this Bush White House, this Bush presidency, President Bush read from formal remarks in his toast to Vincente Fox. So moved was Mr. Fox by his presence here at the White House and all the glittering surroundings of the state dinner, he put aside his formal remarks, spoke very candidly and openly about his friendship with the president whom he called Jorge -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Major Garrett, at the White House, thanks.

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