Bush seeks better ties in Latin America

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer1 hour, 42 minutes ago
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Bush sent a long-distance message to Congress from the southeast tip of Mexico: The future of U.S. relations south of the border hinges on immigration reform.

"I'm going to keep repeating it while I'm here in Mexico — that I know our country must have comprehensive immigration reform," said Bush, who returns to Washington on Wednesday after a second day of meetings with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Bush is to speak on the Yucatan Peninsula to the Mexican people and the newly elected Calderon before leaving, but he hopes his words will be heard 1,400 miles away on Capitol Hill where his immigration proposal has been blocked.

The president also had other problems back in Washington, where Attorney General Alberto Gonzales bore the brunt of Democratic criticism over how the Justice Department and White House handled the firing of eight federal prosecutors. Gonzalez acknowledged that mistakes had been made but stood by the firings and rejected calls for his own resignation.

The president could not promise Mexico that Congress will pass his guest worker program. He could only promise to work hard to make it law.

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Bush: Immigration reform key to better relations

By Deb Riechmann
Associated Press
Mar. 14, 2007 08:16 AM

MERIDA, Mexico - President Bush, ending his five-nation trip to Latin America, sought to overcome rising anti-American sentiment by pledging goodwill and a fairer immigration policy.

"One of the best things America can do is help people realize their dreams," Bush said Wednesday morning as he met with participants in a U.S.-Mexico educational exchange program.

Bush is directing his messages to the Mexican people and their newly elected president, Felipe Calderon. But he's hoping his words also would be heard 1,400 miles away on Capitol Hill, where his immigration proposal has been blocked.