SACRAMENTO, CALIF. ? Mexican President Vicente Fox on Thursday called the U.S. Senate’s vote on immigration policy a “monumental step forward” that marks a historic moment in the relationship between his country and the United States.

“It is a moment that millions of families have been hoping for. This is the moment that millions of people have been working for,” he told a joint session of the California Legislature. “Today’s historic vote is a monumental step forward, but we recognize that there is more debate ahead.”

Fox was scheduled to meet privately afterward with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, their first meeting since the movie star became governor. Schwarzenegger said he would stress Mexico’s responsibility for illegal immigration, while also touching on environmental and other issues of common interest.