Mexican leader appeals to US

President Fox wants a deal on immigration

Mexican President Vicente Fox has called on the US Congress to legalise the status of millions of Mexicans who have entered the United States illegally.

The president was addressing a joint session of Congress on the second day of his state visit to the United States.

We have before us today the opportunity to dramatically change the future of our relationship

President Vicente Fox

Speaking in Spanish, President Fox also urged Congress to pass a bill suspending annual verification of Mexico's fight against drugs "as a gesture of your faith and confidence in this new country that we are working so hard to build".

President Fox and US President George W Bush are later due to visit Toledo, Ohio, which has a large Hispanic population.

They are expected to issue a joint communique in which they will commit themselves to "forging a new and realistic approach to migration" and to holding more detailed discussions on the issue.

Lack of rights

There are an estimated 4.5 million illegal immigrants from Mexico resident in the US. They are not entitled to basic health care, education or worker rights.

Mr Fox wants the immigrants to be granted legalised status, but Mr Bush has already ruled out a blanket amnesty, suggesting only a possible guest worker programme.

President Bush (r) said he will consider a temporary worker programme for Mexican immigrants

President Fox paid tribute to Mexicans living in America and urged them to one day return to Mexico.

"Let me... salute the Mexican migrants living in this country and say to them, 'Mexico needs you. We need your talent and your entrepreneurship. We need you to come home one day and play a part in building a strong Mexico'," he told Congress.

Bush pressed for deal

Mr Fox told the US president on Wednesday he wanted an agreement on the issue of immigration by the end of the year.

But, speaking at a joint press conference with the Mexican president, Mr Bush said a quick deal was unlikely.

Congress is divided over the issue of immigrant rights and any changes to the law will face a rough ride.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner told Associated Press news agency: "It is foolish and unproductive to consider large changes to immigration laws... while only offering the same bureaucratic structure that has failed in the past."

But House Majority leader Dick Armey said illegal Mexicans were being unfairly treated.

"They feel threatened. They feel insecure. That's not right. It breaks your heart," he said.