Thread: Mexican News Ads Push Immigration Reform

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/ ... 1940.shtml

Mexican Ads Push Immigration Reform

MEXICO CITY, March 20, 2006
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(AP) Mexico published advertisements in major newspapers in Mexico and in the United States on Monday saying migrants should have the same rights as everyone else and calling it "indispensable" that the two countries reach a migration accord.

Published in English in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and in Spanish in leading Mexico City newspapers, the full-page ads coincide with expected U.S. Senate debate on a bill that would extend fences along the U.S.-Mexico border crack down on illegal immigration with law enforcement and the military.

"Acknowledging the sovereign right of each country to regulate the entrance of foreigners, it is indispensable to find a solution for the undocumented population that lives in the United States and contributes to the development of the country, so that people can be fully incorporated into their actual communities, with the same rights and duties," the ad read.

The ad's content was taken primarily from a report outlining the goals and recommendations of a committee of Mexican legislators, executive branch officials, diplomats, academics, foreign policy experts and social group leaders.

The ad states that Mexico wants "a far-reaching guest workers scheme" and that "in order for a guest workers program to be viable, Mexico should participate in its design, management, supervision and evaluation."

"Mexico does not promote undocumented migration," it read, adding that Mexico "is committed to fighting all forms of human smuggling and related criminal activities."

But both countries share the responsibility in dealing with the issue — which was complicated immensely after the Sept. 11 attacks and Washington's subsequent moves to beef up security along its borders, Mexico said in the ads.

It also acknowledged that it needs to create incentives for its citizens to return home, and suggested offering housing credits.

And it called for the creation of a cross-border medical insurance system, while proposing that Mexicans living and working in the United States continue to qualify for pension programs in their native country.

President Vicente Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar said Monday that Mexico published the ads to make the government's views "better known and evaluated by relevant actors who participate in the migration debate."

He added that the debate is "in its most-important moments."

The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed the proposed border protection, anti-terrorism and illegal immigration control act, and the Senate is expected to take it up by the end of this month.

The ad states that Mexico wants "a far-reaching guest workers scheme" and that "in order for a guest workers program to be viable, Mexico should participate in its design, management, supervision and evaluation."

Yeah, because Mexico and the Mexican government have so much credibility in these types of matters.

of course mexico is all for it. I mean instead of paying for tunnels they can just let their smugglers drive across the border.. way less expensive.

can you believe an American PR firm made those ads? and no less one here in TX. So much for Texas pride. Get out your ponchos boys it's time to live like we're in mexico.

Tonight on Lou Dobbs a lady's comment (viewer email) was something like this: "Lou, why were people so upset over the United Arab Emirates controlling our ports when the Mexican government is already controlling our U.S. immigration policies?" I can't help but laugh, it was a good comment! But, at the same time, it's sad because it's almost the truth

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/dulut ... 145739.htm

Posted on Mon, Mar. 20, 2006

Mexico buys ads to weigh in on U.S. immigration debate

BY MICHELLE MITTELSTADT
The Dallas Morning News

WASHINGTON - Worried by the sometimes harsh tone of the immigration debate unfolding in the United States, the Mexican government on Monday took its message directly to the American public: As your neighbor, we want to work with you to fashion a solution.

In full-page ads in The New York Times, Washington Post and other newspapers, the Mexican government acknowledged a shared responsibility to address illegal immigration and to stem its citizens' northward exodus by creating more jobs at home.

While continuing to press for a guest worker program that would confer legal work status on millions of Mexicans living illegally in the United States - a long-held goal for Mexican President Vicente Fox - Mexico is now outlining its responsibilities. Among them: enforcing its own migration laws; combating human smuggling and criminal networks; securing its southern border; and promoting the return of Mexican emigres.

For its part, the ad says, the U.S. should allow Mexico to participate in the "design, management, supervision and evaluation" of a guest worker program that should cover "the largest possible number of workers and their families" currently in the U.S. illegally.

The ad campaign, designed by Dallas-based Allyn & Co., reflects a migration resolution approved in February by the Mexican Congress.

"We thought it was about time to have the American people looking firsthand at what's our position on these issues that are so sensitive and important for both countries," Mexican Ambassador Carlos de Icaza said in an interview Monday.

"Our message to the American people is that we are your neighbors, we are your friends, this is a common challenge, and we are part of the solution, not only part of the problem," de Icaza said.

The public relations effort comes as Congress is grappling with the question of how to treat the 11 million to 12 million illegal immigrants living in the United States - more than half of them Mexican.

While some lawmakers favor giving illegal immigrants work permits and placing them on a path to eventual citizenship, others are pressing for heightened immigration enforcement that would pressure many unauthorized workers to leave the country.

The Senate Judiciary Committee appears poised next week to approve a guest worker program - setting senators on a collision course with the House, which in December approved a tough enforcement-only approach that was silent on President Bush's call for a temporary worker program. With a wide philosophical chasm between the chambers and within the Republican Party, the chances of an immigration accord this year are slim, many experts say.

The Senate immigration subcommittee chairman, Texas Republican John Cornyn, pressed Monday for a comprehensive immigration accord including increased enforcement and a guest worker program.

Failure to do so will increase the dangers posed by drug- and human-smuggling networks and leave the country vulnerable to terrorism, Cornyn said in a speech to the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth.

"I am not against immigration, I am against illegal immigration," Cornyn said.

The Mexican ambassador voiced some concern with the tone of the immigration debate, which has proved a hot topic on talk radio, cable TV news shows and in public forums.

"It's a very emotional debate. And sometimes the debate is encouraging, but on other times, it's discouraging," de Icaza said. "So we thought it was about time to directly make known which is our position in black and white, written on paper."

In a speech Monday in Cleveland, Bush renewed his case for a guest worker program matched with tougher border enforcement and sanctions on employers who hire illegal workers.

Asked about immigration during a question-and-answer session, Bush said the debate "can get harsh."

"My call for people is to be rational about the debate and thoughtful about what words can mean during this debate," he said.

Bush, Fox and Canada's new prime minister, Stephen Harper, meet at the end of the month in Cancun, Mexico, to discuss security and economic issues.


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Liliana Vargas, a staff writer with Al Dia, contributed to this report.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com

Mexico Takes Out Full-Page Newspaper Ads Stressing Rights for Migrants

Published: March 20, 2006 2:37 PM ET

MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexico published advertisements in major newspapers in Mexico and in the United States on Monday saying migrants should have the same rights as everyone else and calling it "indispensable" that the two countries reach a migration accord.

Published in English in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, and in Spanish in leading Mexico City newspapers, the full-page ads coincide with expected U.S. Senate debate on a bill that would extend fences along the U.S.-Mexico border crack down on illegal immigration with law enforcement and the military.

"Acknowledging the sovereign right of each country to regulate the entrance of foreigners, it is indispensable to find a solution for the undocumented population that lives in the United States and contributes to the development of the country, so that people can be fully incorporated into their actual communities, with the same rights and duties," the ad read.

The ad's content was taken primarily from a report outlining the goals and recommendations of a committee of Mexican legislators, executive branch officials, diplomats, academics, foreign policy experts and social group leaders.

The ad states that Mexico wants "a far-reaching guest workers scheme" and that "in order for a guest workers program to be viable, Mexico should participate in its design, management, supervision and evaluation."

"Mexico does not promote undocumented migration," it read, adding that Mexico "is committed to fighting all forms of human smuggling and related criminal activities."

But both countries share the responsibility in dealing with the issue -- which was complicated immensely after the Sept. 11 attacks and Washington's subsequent moves to beef up security along its borders, Mexico said in the ads.

It also acknowledged that it needs to create incentives for its citizens to return home, and suggested offering housing credits.

And it called for the creation of a cross-border medical insurance system, while proposing that Mexicans living and working in the United States continue to qualify for pension programs in their native country.

President Vicente Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar said Monday that Mexico published the ads to make the government's views "better known and evaluated by relevant actors who participate in the migration debate."

He added that the debate is "in its most-important moments."

The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed the proposed border protection, anti-terrorism and illegal immigration control act, and the Senate is expected to take it up by the end of this month.



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