http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/miami/12437.html

Bilateral policies called for

An advisory committee formed at the behest of President Vicente Fox and the Senate to study migratory policy presented its first report Monday.


A multi-institutional advisory group formed by the Mexican government presented a report Monday, emphasizing "shared responsibility" and the need to develop bilateral immigration policies between Mexico and the United States that benefit both countries.
In a document presented at a press conference in Mexico City, the group said that in order for a proposed guest worker program to be effective, Mexico must provide incentives for migrants to return to their place of origin. It recommends strengthening housing programs that offer lowinterest home loans for migrants to build houses in Mexico while working in the United States.

Speaking at Monday's event, Sen. Silvia Hernández said the Mexican group considers indispensable a reform that includes legalization for undocumented immigrants already in the United States as well as temporary work visas.

Advisory member Sen. Héctor Osuna added that comprehensive immigration policy must also include "those who leave the country, those who pass through, and those who arrive to Mexico from other parts of the world."

The group further recommends expanding health care coverage within Mexico for migrants and their families and allowing migrants who have worked in the United States to collect their social security pensions in Mexico.

The advisory group, formed at the behest of President Vicente Fox and the Senate, consists of representatives of the secretaries of Foreign Relations, Social Development, Labor, Population, and the Immigration Institute, as well as legislators, academics and citizen organizations.

Foreign Relations Secretary Gerónimo Gutiérrez said that the group's purpose is to propose a migration policy that addresses the "dimensions that the migration phenomenon has reached and the implications it has for the development of Mexico."

The group plans to present their document to officials in Washington to stimulate bilateral dialogue on immigration reform.

U.S. President George Bush recently released a controversial immigration proposal that offers temporary work visas for up to six years, after which time immigrants would have to leave the country.

U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy and John McCain have a reform proposal that also involves temporary work visas, but in contrast to the Bush proposal, offers a path to permanent legal residence.

The U.S. Congress, largely distracted by security concerns, has yet to take up either proposal.