Fox Touts His Economic Success

None by KCPW

Addresses Immigration During Speech to Utah Legislature

(KPCW News) When Mexican President Vicente Fox addressed Utah lawmakers today he made a statement many in the audience found surprising.

"I didn't expect to hear him say that he opposes illegal immigration," said State Representative Glenn Donnellson, who has run several strict bills related to immigrants in Utah.

Earlier in his visit, Fox also thanked Utah lawmakers for allowing undocumented workers to receive driving privilege cards and pay in-state tuition. Senator Curt Bramble, who sponsored the driving privilege measure, also honed in on Fox's interest in the so-called "rule of law," though the Mexican President did not use those exact words. Bramble was invited to meet privately with President Fox during his visit.

President Fox dedicated much of his speech to a defense of Mexico's democratic and economic gains during the six years of his presidency. He also said the Mexican government does not support building a wall on the border and urges the U.S. Congress to look beyond enforcement measures.

Fox's comments on immigration drew the most attention during his to Utah, but Senate President John Valentine says the rest of the Mexican president's message was crucial.

"That we are partners in many areas, including immigration, the economy, education. These are all things we need to work on together," said Valentine.

Fox billed his visit to Utah as an economic exchange, following Governor Jon Huntsman Junior's visit to Mexico last summer. During speeches to the state legislature and various business leaders, President Fox defended his country's economic and democratic gains. He gave particular attention to educational improvements that are offering scholarships to one in four Mexican youth.

"I do not doubt that those one million youth would otherwise be looking to come to the U.S. illegally looking for work," said Fox. "Instead, they are in universities in Mexico getting an education."

Fox's presidential term ends this year, but Utah lawmakers say they are hopeful the economic relationship between Mexico and the state will remain. In 2004, Utah imported $308 million from Mexico and exported $104 million. Mexican immigrants in Utah have an estimated one billion dollar purchasing power.

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