Nation

In Mexico, Powell optimistic on change in immigration law

MEXICO CITY - The chances for immigration reform have "improved significantly," Secretary of State Colin Powell said during a quick visit to Mexico to meet with top officials. With the election over and President Bush starting a second term, the United States will work to make immigration reform a top priority, Powell said. He cautioned that it would be up to Congress to pass any measures, and he didn't want to "over-promise." Powell said at a press conference that the administration's first priority is to set up a temporary-worker program. The program, proposed by Bush in January, would match workers with potential employers for terms of up to three years. Such an agreement would mean workers would not have to cross the border illegally and suffer the perils that go with that crossing. "We want to get this right and do this well," Powell said of a guest-worker program. Movement toward an immigration accord came to a halt after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when the United States changed its focus to the Middle East and combating terrorism. Mexican officials say they want both a worker program and legalization of Mexicans already living in the United States. Mexican President Vicente Fox told reporters this week that he wants the United States to legalize at least 4 million Mexicans now working illegally in the United States, and at the very least, he wants more humane treatment of illegal border crossers. Fox stressed that both nations have between now and next September or October to work out an immigration accord. After that time, Mexico will be in election mode for its presidential vote in 2006, he explained. A second Bush term means that Mexico has more time to work on the immigration issue, Fox and his top administrators said. Powell arrived in Mexico on Monday night and left on Tuesday.