Fox strongly defended U.S. President George W. Bush's migration reform proposal, and in remarks to foreign reporters, called attention to divisions over the issue in the MexicanAmerican community in the United States.

"We agree with the rejection of amnesty. These workers are not going to become American citizens, nor do they want U.S. citizenship," Fox said of the estimated 4 million undocumented Mexican workers in the United States.

"What they are interested in is in having their rights respected, getting good pay for their work, and being with their families," the president said.

"For that reason, the issue of amnesty is out," Fox continued. "Nobody is looking for this, they (the workers) don't want it, we (the Mexican government) haven't asked for it and President Bush has no intention of (granting) it." That clashed strongly with the views like those of California-based immigrant activist Claudia Smith, who criticized the proposed three-year guestworker visas.

"It's supremely disappointing that this offers no general amnesty for those undocumented workers already in the United States," Smith's office said in a press statement. "It's something we owe to those who have contributed so much to another country." Ed Leahy, coordinator of the Immigrant Rights Network of Iowa and Nebraska, said "the undocumented immigrants I know who want to remain here ... who want to contribute fully, don't want to go home in three years." Fox has also drawn criticism over his support for the Bush plan at home, where many newspapers have blasted the proposal for lacking an amnesty provision and requiring undocumented workers to register with the U.S. government.

"The Mexican government should stop applauding this plan and instead, take it with a grain of salt," a Mexico City newspaper wrote in an editorial.

Fox stressed that there are conflicting views within the Mexican-American community on the issue.

"In the so-called Hispanic or migrant community, there are different categories and statuses," he said. "There are Mexican-Americans, Mexicans who have gotten U.S. citizenship, dual nationals and illegals." "The Mexican-Americans or Mexicans there with documents are probably worried about competition from them (undocumented workers)," Fox said. "For that reason, there are differing points of view." Fox, however, shares other concerns raised by activists about the Bush plan especially the limited number of guest worker visas that might be offered.

"It's hard to imagine a guestworker program offering enough capacity to meet the needs of millions of undocumented workers already on hand, as well as those planning to go the United States," Smith said. She cited a research report that indicated about one-fifth of Mexico's 105 million people would consider going to the United States if they had a chance.

The president acknowledged that "more is needed. There are requests for more ... temporary work visas. They have to be reviewed and the number increased as demand increases." There may also be an economic motive behind Fox's stance against amnesty. Workers who become U.S. citizens can invite their families to join them north of the border and thus have less incentive to send home remittances.

The US12 to US14 billion sent home annually by migrants has become this country's second-largest source of foreign income, exceeded only by oil sales.

But the proposed immigration reform has dramatically improved relations between the U.S. and Mexican governments, which turned frosty following the two countries differences over the war in Iraq.

In euphoric language he has seldom used since 2001, Fox said "we are enchanted with our relationship with the United States, it's very constructive, very positive and it's starting to yield fruit." Fox said that in the coming year he plans to visit the United States "as frequently as possible."