Mexican president makes first U.S. visit, including California

5:24 p.m. February 8, 2008

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Felipe Calderón's first trip to the United States next week is a high-stakes effort to shape the immigration debate during the U.S. presidential race.

Calderón won't meet President Bush or any of his would-be successors this trip, but will make his voice heard in major U.S. cities at a time when both Republican and Democratic candidates are carefully calibrating their positions on hot-button issues such as the border wall, deportations, guest-worker programs and driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

Many undocumented Mexican migrants who have raised families and built careers in the United States are facing a much bleaker future as federal, state and local governments crack down. And the election year isn't helping, according to Calderón, who has accused U.S. presidential candidates of using migrants as “symbolic hostages in their speeches and strategies.”

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This story is significant because this will be the first visit to America for President Calderon. With the presidential election coming soon what to do with the immigrants is a very important topic.