WASHINGTON-Mexican President Vicente Fox, the first state visitor of the Bush presidency, challenged the United States on Wednesday to strike an agreement on immigration reform by the end of the year.
Fox appeared to be calling for an agreement that would be ready for consideration by the respective legislatures of the two countries before the end of the year. But U.S. officials have said that details such as timetables and the numbers of Mexicans who would be eligible have not yet been broached.
Bush hopes a close relationship with Fox will help him meet his top political goal: expand his support among Hispanics, the fastest growing voting bloc in America.
Fox met privately with Bush and then members of their respective Cabinets to discuss drug trafficking, organized crime, immigration and other policies.
