Top U.S. and Mexican officials met yesterday to develop an immigration reform plan that they said would likely include a temporary guest worker program, but Mexican officials warned they might not reach agreement in time for President Vicente Fox's visit here next month.
A temporary worker program that would include ways for some workers to gain permanent residency remains a possibility, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said after he, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft and Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner James W. Ziglar met with Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda and Interior Minister Santiago Creel for about an hour.
But Powell did not mention a legalization plan for some of the estimated 6 to 9 million undocumented people living and working in the United States, a prospect that in recent months has galvanized labor, business and immigrants rights groups that believe the time is right for major immigration reform.
Neither side revealed any specifics of a plan officials previously said could be unveiled during Fox's meeting here with President Bush. In fact, they took pains to dampen expectations for a rapid conclusion.
A State Department spokesman said details of the plan could take months to hammer out. And at a briefing yesterday for the Mexican media, the Mexican ministers tried to lower expectations for a sweeping immigration accord in time for Fox's visit.
Mexican diplomats had indicated in recent weeks that they hoped for a dramatic announcement on immigration during the Fox visit. But they declined yesterday to give any timetable for concrete results.
"There is no hurry," Castaneda told reporters after yesterday's talks, according to those present. U.S. media were barred from the session by an embassy spokesman.
According to the Mexican journalists, Castaneda said Fox's visit "isn't a deadline" and it was more important to reach a good agreement than a quick one.
Powell said the working group is examining options for a temporary worker program that does not hurt U.S. workers.
"We want to make sure the immigration system does not disadvantage American workers," he said, with Ashcroft, Castaneda and Creel by his side. "We want a system that focuses on fairness."
"We want to make sure that migration is safe, legal, orderly and dignified," he added.
Bush has been considering immigration reform for several months. Mexico, led by Fox, has been pressing for a way for undocumented workers to earn legal residency -- green cards -- which would put them on the road to citizenship.
Bush has said any reforms should apply to other immigrant groups and that he does not favor a blanket amnesty for undocumented workers like the 1986 law that legalized 2.7 million undocumented people.
The discussions have drawn a mixed reaction among Democratic and Republican lawmakers. Leading House and Senate Democrats last week announced a set of "immigration principles" that includes an earned legalization program and a family reunification plan that would raise ceilings for family and employment-based visas.
They too believe that reform should apply to all immigrants, regardless of their country of origin, according to the plan.
Those opposed to granting legal residency to Mexican immigrants now living in the United States, including Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), believe it rewards those who crossed the U.S. border illegally.
Yesterday's meeting was closely watched by immigrant rights groups and labor and business groups, many of which have said that immigration reform must be comprehensive.
Frank Sharry, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, a pro-immigration group, speculated that Powell and his working group declined to discuss specifics yesterday because they may be undecided on key issues.
"They seem to be saying . . . that they want to perhaps slow down, get clearer decisions from the top and consult with members of Congress and key constituencies," he said. "This is a great opportunity . . . for the Bush administration, but they're going to have to do their homework and have a stiff backbone and press forward."
Earlier this week, two key House Republicans announced they would not support immigration law changes unless the INS is overhauled.
Castaneda met earlier in the day with a dozen members of the Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, which represents more than 30 trade organizations and favors comprehensive immigration reform. John F. Gay, the group's co-chairman, said Castaneda indicated that a guest worker program or legalization alone wouldn't make it through Congress.
"He told us where things were going with the negotiations and we told him we wanted a comprehensive approach," Gay said after the meeting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "I think we're both on the same page."
Staff writer Mary Beth Sheridan contributed to this report.
