Bush Backs off Fingerprinting Plan for Mexican Visitors

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA5Z062IRD.html


Bush Backs off Fingerprinting Plan for Mexican Visitors

By Scott Lindlaw Associated Press Writer
Published: Mar 6, 2004

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush on Saturday backed off a plan to require frequent Mexico-U.S. travelers to be fingerprinted and photographed before crossing the border, a reversal welcomed by Mexican President Vicente Fox.

"We welcome the news that was confirmed today with regard to visitors to the U.S. from Mexico," Fox said at a news conference with Bush at the American president's ranch. "They will not have to be photographed or fingerprinted."

Fox alluded to another agreement to speed migration - a deal to issue special visas through the North American Free Trade Agreement to allow professionals to move across the border "to come and work in either country and contribute to both."

Bush said little about either development at the joint news conference. "The president just discussed the issue of border crossing cards, and he discussed the professional visas, and so we're making progress," Bush said. "I will work to ensure a system of safe and orderly migration." <snip>

with his "yellow cake"