http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pb ... /608230320



News Wednesday, August 23, 2006

In visit, Mexico official discusses immigration

Change is needed so it isn't necessary, he says in Portland

THELMA GUERRERO
Statesman Journal


August 23, 2006

PORTLAND -- Mexico wants to be part of the solution, not the problem, involving illegal migration into the United States, a high-ranking Mexican government official said here Tuesday.

"Mexico is first and foremost responsible for creating opportunities for its people in a way that migration is a decision and not a necessity," said Gerónimo Gutiérrez Fernández, the undersecretary for North America at Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"In all truth, right now, migration is a necessity for Mexican nationals and not a decision," he said. "But at the same time, we believe that the United States should recognize the presence of pull factors, meaning factors that also demand labor from other countries."

The undersecretary's visit to Portland comes as Congress remains deadlocked on two pieces of legislation involving immigration reform. It also comes as House Republicans hold hearings in select areas of the country seeking input from voters.

The immigration issue has, at times, put a rift between the United States and Mexico.

Mexican President Vicente Fox reacted angrily about potential plans to build a 370-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

He was angered again when National Guard troops were deployed to the border as part of President Bush's Operation Jump Start.
To help curb illegal migration into the United States, Mexico is working on its economic policies and improving living conditions so its citizens won't feel the need to leave the country to work elsewhere, Gutiérrez Fernández said.

One example involves housing.

Mexico is working on a program that would offer migrants who come to the United States on a seasonal basis a mortgage for the purchase of a home in Mexico. The offer is intended as an incentive for migrants to return to Mexico.

An existing program, called "Seguro Popular," gives Mexican nationals who illegally migrate to the United States access to health insurance that allows them to be treated in Mexico. That, too, is an incentive to return to their native land.
A health-care program that would give legal and undocumented immigrants access to health care in both Mexico and the United States also is in the works.

Additionally, the Fox administration has promoted policies and reforms to enhance Mexico's competitiveness and improve its economic development, Gutiérrez Fernández said.

In addition, immigration reform should address the security needs of the United States and the reality of the border situation, he continued.

That reality is that Mexican workers continue to seek jobs in the U.S. economy, he said.

With an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States, undocumented workers are a large part of the nation's work force, according to the Pew Hispanic Center.

As part of immigration reform, Mexico would like to see a guest-worker program that would give undocumented immigrants in the United States a path to citizenship, Gutiérrez Fernández said.

tguerrero@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6815

Oregon visit

Gerónimo Gutiérrez Fernández, the undersecretary for North America at Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the keynote speaker at a luncheon sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Oregon. About 80 people attended the meeting at the Multnomah Athletic Club.

He met privately with Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski before he addressed the audience.
Copyright 2006 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon