Thread: Diplomat Arturo Sarukhan says reform requires jobs in Mexico

Diplomat says reform requires jobs in Mexico
Web Posted: 04/11/2007 12:44 AM CDT

Jeorge Zarazua
Express-News

Immigration reform in this country will not succeed if Mexico doesn't do its part and create more jobs to keep its citizens from leaving, said Arturo Sarukhán, Mexico's new ambassador to the United States.

"Unless Mexico puts its house in order, the best immigration reform will not be possible," Sarukhán told people attending a luncheon Tuesday at the San Antonio Country Club. The local World Affairs Council hosted the luncheon in conjunction with the Council of American Ambassadors.

The same message was repeated later during a panel session at Trinity University's Ruth Taylor Recital Hall in what was Sarukhán's first official trip outside Washington as ambassador. He said he chose to visit San Antonio because of its critical role in the bilateral relationship of both countries.


The ambassador said that even if the United States would pass immigration reform, that alone wouldn't keep 400,000 Mexicans from crossing the border each year.


"We have to deal with two issues at the same time," he said, referring to Mexico's abundant work force and the United States' demand for cheap labor.


He said he was guardedly optimistic that Congress would pass an immigration reform bill this year, saying the one that U.S. Reps. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., are sponsoring is a "serious bipartisan effort" that would be a remedy for several problems.
"I think at this point, it is as good as it gets," Sarukhán said.

He said if it isn't passed before Labor Day, immigration reform would be postponed until January 2009. He also cautioned that no matter what kind of reform passes, it probably won't appease everyone.


"Nobody is going to be 100 percent happy," he said. "This isn't a win-win."


Sarukhán is a career diplomat, having served as consul general of Mexico in New York under former Mexican President Vicente Fox's administration.


Sarukhán took a leave of absence from the Mexican foreign service to serve as the campaign coordinator for international affairs and international spokesman for then-presidential candidate Felipe Calderón.


Sarukhán then served on the president-elect's transition team as coordinator for international affairs after Calderón was elected president.


jzarazua@express-news.net

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We have to deal with two issues at the same time," he said, referring to Mexico's abundant work force and the United States' demand for cheap labor.

Mexico has to deal with their people not the US. The United States is not demanding cheap labor LAW BREAKING BIG BUSINESS WANTS IT not the American people who pay the taxes and vote for the laws and officials of this land!

I know that Mexico requires internal creation of jobs that is why I have been trying to help create programs by which the Mexican immigrants here can finance creation of jobs at home.


If he recognizes that any of the possible outcomes is not going to be win win for all then he should understand our undying opposition to amnesty. We surely should not decide to make a choice to hurt ourselves.


Ask to be given suggestions on job creation I will help you.

Good job Richard. You are doing the job the MEXICAN government should be doing. All the natural resourses, coastline ect.. and they can't provide jobs and security to their people?!!


The illegals should organize and march on their government in Mexico and South America. We are not to blame for their misery and we've had it with paying for their social welfare and all the other ills associated with illegals.

Not our problem. WHy do they expect us to fix it?