Mexican President Vicente Fox, who was visiting the Caribbean coast city of Cancun, described the plan as "shameful," saying it demonstrated "the United States government's inability to understand the migration problem in an integrated way."

    Fox's remarks came shortly after Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 authorizing the construction of 700 miles (about 1,126 km) of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

    "This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure," Bush said at the signing ceremony.

    However, Fox said the wall was being built for short-term reasons, namely the November mid-term congressional elections.

    Ruben Aguilar, the presidential spokesman who was traveling with Fox, insisted migrants' human rights should be guaranteed.

    Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez told media that the wall was "a piece of foolishness that will not work" and described it as an insult to a friendly neighbor, at a separate event at the Technological University of Monterrey.

    Head of the legislature's Chamber of Deputies Jorge Zermeno told media "building walls is an unfriendly gesture... which will not solve the migration problem."

    The bill also authorizes more vehicle barriers, checkpoints and lighting to help prevent people from entering the country illegally, and authorizes the Homeland Security Department to use more advanced technology like cameras, satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor the border.

    The United States is a major migration destination for Mexicans.

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¡¡¡¡Bush signs U.S.-Mexico border fence bill

US President George W. Bush (C) signs a bill to give 1.2 billion dollars to build a fence along the US-Mexico border to stanch the flow of illegal immigrants in Scottsdale, Arizona. Aournd Bush are Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano(L) and Arizona US Representatives. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush signed a bill on Thursday that authorizes the construction of 700 miles (1,126 km) of fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

    "This bill will help protect the American people. This bill will make our borders more secure," Bush said at the signing ceremony.  Full story>>

    Mexico to present UN resolution denouncing U.S. border fence

    MEXICO CITY, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mexico was to present a draft resolution to the United Nations Human Rights Council criticizing the U.S. move to build a border fence aimed at stopping Mexican migrants entering the United States, diplomatic sources said on Monday.

    Mexican Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, who is also president of the 47-member council, said the resolution would denounce the building of the fence, as it violated human rights and would drive undocumented migrants to cross the border in more remote and dangerous areas. Full Story