President Bush will leave next month on a five-nation tour of Latin America, the White House said Thursday.
Bush and first lady Laura Bush will visit Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico from March 8 to 14.
"The trip will underscore the commitment of the United States to the Western Hemisphere and will highlight our common agenda to advance freedom, prosperity and social justice and deliver the benefits of democracy in the areas of health, education and economic opportunity," White House press secretary Tony Snow said.
Snow said immigration would be only one topic of the trip. In Brazil, for instance, Bush will be talking about energy independence and trade. In Bogota, Bush will be discussing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's work to battle narcoterrorism .
"In Mexico, we're going to be supporting the president's efforts to address poverty, income equality, restoring law and order, fighting the common threats of drug trafficking and strengthening the economic relationship," Snow said.