AP photo
What's up with Bush and the sudden outreach? Bush and Mexican President-elect Felipe Calderon met today to begin working out a solution to the immigration problem.... just not a solution to the hotly contested 700 mile fence issue.
After White House talks, the two men avoided a public airing of their disagreement over a U.S. plan to erect a border fence to keep illegal immigrants out. Calderon had said the fence project would complicate his U.S.visit.
That fence might help keep out a new class of undesirables such as gay couples in Mexico City who have now been granted the option of civil unions with benefits "similar" to marriage.
The bill, which does not approve gay marriage, allows same-sex couples to register their union with civil authorities, granting them inheritance and pension rights, as well as other social benefits. Lawmakers were still finalizing the details.
Heterosexual couples who are not legally married can also be registered under the legislation.
The bill was severely criticized by the Catholic Church and conservative civil groups. It passed by a vote of 43-17, with all the opposition coming from the National Action Party of President Vicente Fox and president-elect Felipe Calderon.
Ahhh, something Calderon and Bush can agree on.
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