Thread: Opinion: Mexico's role in debate on immigration

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Our Opinion: Mexico's role in debate on immigration
Tucson Citizen
April 27, 2005

When people illegally enter this country from Mexico, the laws of only one nation - the United States - are being broken.

But the issue of illegal immigration is far more complex than that, and Mexican politicians are recognizing it. The cooperative efforts of both the United States and Mexico will be needed to comprehensively address immigration reform.

Few nations have laws that prohibit citizens from leaving the country. So in the majority of immigration cases, the only crime occurs when an individual enters another country without permission.

That is the situation along the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexican authorities say they are powerless to stop people from leaving, so U.S. officials must find and detain those who enter the country illegally.

However, that may be changing as Mexican lawmakers look to play a more active role in the immigration debate.

A controversial bill introduced in the Mexican congress would allow police or Mexican migrant-protection agents to designate border areas as temporary "high- risk zones" and prohibit citizens from entering those areas.

The designation would most likely come during the summer, when migrants who enter the United States are most in danger from heat in the Southwestern deserts.

Mexican Sen. Hector Jaime Osuna, who introduced the legislation, had a common-sense explanation for the bill: "We can't just sit by with our arms crossed and wait for one more person to die," he told The Associated Press in Mexico City.

Osuna denied trying to seal the border or stop migration, noting "that's not the intention and it's not even possible."

The role of the Mexican government in the immigration debate has been delicate and, at times, contradictory. Mexico has asked the United States for more work visas for Mexicans but has not stopped those without visas from crossing the border. It has published safety guides for those entering without visas while saying it opposes illegal immigration.

Mexico has been pressing the United States for comprehensive immigration reform. Reform is needed.

Also needed is the cooperation of Mexican officials. Should they step up and help address the immigration problems our two nations share, it would go a long way toward showing their commitment to the issue.

Correction

An editorial yesterday on various immigration bills in Congress erroneously said that U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe supports a bill that would require immigrants in the United States to return to their home countries before applying for guest worker status.

Kolbe's proposal would not require illegal immigrants to return home.

This is exactly how they see the illegal drug trade in Mexico:it is our problem for having so many junkies.If there is a way to get it done,our border should be tighter than 10 toes in 1 sock!

Ten toes in one sock? I Luv it...and it sounds right!!

RR

Ten toes in one sock...I can't even get my nine in.

Mexico Immigration Policy is this:
Bill 101 - Export our poor, hungry over populated masses, tell them where to go and how to remain there unnoticed.
Bill 102 Import American money - All illegal aliens are to send money
back to Mexico. Do not spend money for food, sleep 40 in a one bedroom
apartment, be ready to fight or flee. Make the Americans take care of all
your physical needs. We will send your wife, all your children and relatives. Do Not Come Back Home!
PS We will send your relatives on your wife's side also.