U.S. Chamber Hails Bush Commitment to Mexican Migration Talks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce today hailed President George Bush's joint statement with Mexican President Vicente Fox from Monterrey, Mexico, that they intend to continue U.S.-Mexico migration talks.

"The two presidents sent a clear signal that it is time to move forward on achieving a new migration framework," said Randel Johnson, U.S. Chamber vice president. "The talks are extremely important both for the U.S. business community, which faces long-term U.S. worker shortages due to changing demographics, and for the millions of hardworking, legitimate immigrants that are filling essential jobs."

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, the two leaders pledged that the Cabinet-level working group on migration issues, established last year, should "continue the work we charged it with in Guanajuato and Washington."

"For the good of both countries, we urge the working group to redouble its efforts to devise workable, temporary programs, expand permanent residence,and give hard-working, tax-paying immigrants a chance at legal status," said Johnson.

Over the next decade, the U.S. economy will generate an additional 22 million jobs, as the domestic workforce continues to age, according to the Chamber. The Chamber is a member of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, a broad-based industry group working to overcome the shortage of essential workers.

"We look forward to working with Bush administration officials and their Mexican counterparts to craft workable programs that meet our country's needs," said Johnson. "We call on Congress to work together with the administration and the business community to send the president bipartisan legislation he can sign."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

02-50