On Sept. 5, 2001, President Vicente Fox of Mexico came to the United States, hoping to forge an agreement on the issue of illegal Mexican immigrants.
President George W. Bush said the two nations "must work in a spirit of respect and common purpose."
Less than a week later, the United States was attacked by terrorists, the twin towers fell and thousands were killed. Any hope of an agreement with Mexico was buried in the rubble of 9/11.
This nation confronted a new and utterly unfamiliar world on that day. In Connecticut, we lost family members and friends, and New York City — our neighbor — was torn apart. This great nation, isolated and protected...