US urges Mexico to tighten border for migrant deal
http://www.sabcnews.com/world/south_ame ... 63,00.html
US urges Mexico to tighten border for migrant deal
March 03, 2005, 06:45
The United States would be "far more likely" to ease immigration rules if it felt the Mexican government was doing enough to tighten border security and grow its economy, the US ambassador said yesterday.
Tony Garza, the US ambassador, told the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico that George W Bush, the US president, was committed to creating a guest worker programme which would provide temporary visas to workers from Mexico and other countries. "There should be no doubt, however, that immigration reform will become far more likely when the US public and its leaders feel confident that the border is secure and Mexico is doing everything it can to create economic opportunities here at home," he said, according to an advance copy of his speech.
Vicente Fox, the Mexican president, has made a migration deal with the United States a high priority since taking office four years ago, although security concerns after the September 11, 2001 attacks have stymied talks.
Law enforcement along the countries' shared 3200km border is expected to be a key issue when Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of State visits Mexico next week. "We enjoy strong law enforcement cooperation with Mexico, but recognize that more must be done," Garza said. He added that Mexico's economy "risks being left behind" unless reforms are made, especially in education. He criticized Mexico's dependence on money sent home by millions of migrant workers living in the United States.
Remittances hit a record $16.6 billion in 2004, equal to the amount Mexico received in foreign investment, providing many poor, rural areas with their only source of income. "Reliance on remittances from the US is not a viable economic policy -- this only increases dependence on the United States and delays Mexico's full participation in the global economy," Garza said.
Mexico's economy grew 4.4% in 2004, but job creation was disappointing and it lost market share to China in the United States, the destination of 90% of its exports. Fox has been unable to push sweeping tax, energy and labor reforms through the opposition-dominated Congress. "Mexico can no longer rely on cheap labor as its comparative advantage," he continued. "And imagine what else could be achieved were corruption less pervasive, no longer able to poison business deals, encourage illicit activity, and chill investment." - Reuters
US urges Mexico to tighten border for migrant deal
http://www.sabcnews.com/world/south_ame ... 63,00.html
US urges Mexico to tighten border for migrant deal
March 03, 2005, 06:45
The United States would be "far more likely" to ease immigration rules if it felt the Mexican government was doing enough to tighten border security and grow its economy, the US ambassador said yesterday.
Tony Garza, the US ambassador, told the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico that George W Bush, the US president, was committed to creating a guest worker programme which would provide temporary visas to workers from Mexico and other countries. "There should be no doubt, however, that immigration reform will become far more likely when the US public and its leaders feel confident that the border is secure and Mexico is doing everything it can to create economic opportunities here at home," he said, according to an advance copy of his speech.
Vicente Fox, the Mexican president, has made a migration deal with the United States a high priority since taking office four years ago, although security concerns after the September 11, 2001 attacks have stymied talks.
Law enforcement along the countries' shared 3200km border is expected to be a key issue when Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of State visits Mexico next week. "We enjoy strong law enforcement cooperation with Mexico, but recognize that more must be done," Garza said. He added that Mexico's economy "risks being left behind" unless reforms are made, especially in education. He criticized Mexico's dependence on money sent home by millions of migrant workers living in the United States.
Remittances hit a record $16.6 billion in 2004, equal to the amount Mexico received in foreign investment, providing many poor, rural areas with their only source of income. "Reliance on remittances from the US is not a viable economic policy -- this only increases dependence on the United States and delays Mexico's full participation in the global economy," Garza said.
Mexico's economy grew 4.4% in 2004, but job creation was disappointing and it lost market share to China in the United States, the destination of 90% of its exports. Fox has been unable to push sweeping tax, energy and labor reforms through the opposition-dominated Congress. "Mexico can no longer rely on cheap labor as its comparative advantage," he continued. "And imagine what else could be achieved were corruption less pervasive, no longer able to poison business deals, encourage illicit activity, and chill investment." - Reuters
