[JURIST] Arturo Sarukhan [Wikipedia profile], Mexico's newest ambassador to the US, says his country is launching an intensive lobbying effort to secure an immigration reform agreement between the two nations. The plan includes negotiations between Mexican consulates and US state and federal lawmakers, business chambers and civic organizations concerned with immigration reform [JURIST news archive]. Mexico would like the US to create a guest worker program and to provide a legal foundation to the millions of illegal Mexican immigrants in the US. AP has more.

Mexico's attempts to address the needs of "undocumented workers" often directly conflict with US government efforts to discourage immigrants from entering the US illegally. Mexico's decision in January 2007 to provide illegal immigrants with tools [JURIST report], such as satellite tracking devices [Sunday Telegraph report] meant to ensure their successful flight to America, is the latest development in a strained US-Mexico relationship. In October 2006, US President George W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the construction of a 700-mile fence [JURIST news archive] along the Mexican border.