Mexican President Criticizes 'Absurd' U.S. Border Policies

[bryanleu2002]

Mexican President Criticizes 'Absurd' U.S. Border Policies

By Manuel Roig-Franzia (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/email/manuel+roig-franzia/)
Washington Post Foreign Service
Saturday, March 17, 2007; Page A10

MEXICO CITY, March 16 --



Mexican President Felipe Calderón said Friday that U.S. border policies are marred by many "absurd" paradoxes that hurt the Mexican economy and force more Mexicans to migrate illegally to the United States.
In an interview en route from Mexicali, Mexico (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/world/countries/mexico.html?nav=el), to Mexico City on his presidential jet, Calderón criticized construction of more border fencing and accused U.S. border agents of slowing the flow of commerce between the countries by sometimes failing to staff enough crossing booths.



He also argued against plans to line with concrete the massive All-American Canal, which connects the Colorado River to farms in California. Calderón said the project would cut off groundwater that flows into Mexico and possibly hurt the businesses of Mexican farmers enough that they would need to migrate illegally to make a living.
The border debate has become increasingly personal for Calderón, after recent revelations that some of his relatives have migrated. During President Bush's visit to Mexico this week, Calderón said he has relatives "working in vegetable fields" and restaurants in the United States. "They probably handle what you eat," he said at a news conference.
In the interview Friday, Calderón said that between "five and 20" of his relatives have migrated and that he does not know their current immigration statuses or whether they entered legally. The relatives include "cousins, uncles and in-laws," he said.
"I'd rather not say who they are," Calderón said.
Top aides to Calderón have said that he would like to shift immigration away from the center of U.S.-Mexico relations, but on a visit Friday to the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali, he returned to the theme repeatedly. At the inauguration of a wastewater treatment plant outside Mexicali, Calderón commented on the "absurd paradox that in their determination to have less migration, at the same time [the United States] is cutting off more job opportunities for Mexicans." The audience members -- some of whom held handkerchiefs to their noses to block the odor coming from the treatment plant -- applauded loudly.
Aboard his plane, Calderón said U.S. border policies seem to run counter to U.S. intentions for "friendly relations" with Mexico. He described the relationship between the two countries as "complex and difficult."
He seemed particularly irked by bottlenecks at border checkpoints -- some Mexicans sleep in their cars to get a spot in line. Calderón singled out the crossing at San Ysidro, Calif., one of the busiest in the world, as a trouble spot that is hurting commerce between the nations.
"There are times when, out of 24 booths, 17 are not open," he said.
Calderón is pushing for a comprehensive revamping of the U.S. immigration system and said he believes there is a better chance of achieving that goal now that Democrats have control of Congress. But he noted that progress on immigration could take place only if "Democrats told the truth and did not trick" voters with promises during last fall's election campaigns.
Calderón has argued that improving Mexico's economy will stem the flow of illegal migrants across the U.S. border. He cited the example of Spain, a country that once had mass economic migrations but has improved its economy so much that it now is a destination for migrants. Hoping to replicate such successes, Calderón boasted that Mexico created 116,000 jobs in February.
"I don't know how many were created in the United States, but I think it could not be many more," he said.
Calderón has been in office since December, after running a campaign focused on job stimulation and free trade. He said if he fails, the next Mexican president would surely be "a populist demagogue" who would hurt Mexico's economy and make today's immigration problem seem "like child's play."
Calderón criticized U.S. drug policy, saying the United States is not doing enough to lower consumption and to help combat the narco-traffickers who have terrorized Mexico in recent years. He called U.S. aid to Mexico to combat drugs "a symbolic gesture" and accused U.S. officials of failing to do enough to stop the flow of drugs across the border.
During his first 100 days in office, Calderón has sent federal police and military troops to areas plagued by drug violence, including Tijuana, Acapulco and Monterrey. He said that this year, he will continue using the military and federal police to launch major operations against Mexican drug cartels, which have grown in size, strength and barbarity to rival the Colombian cartels of the 1980s. But Calderón said he would also like to focus attention on police reforms as a way of combating drug gangs.
Calderón's trip to the border took him far from the scene of a historic event in Mexico City, where same-*** couples lined up for the first time in the city's history to register for civil unions and the first civil union ceremony took place Friday.
"I completely respect a person's ****** preferences," Calderón said. "However, I believe in the family, that the family is an institution headed by the principle of hetero******ity."



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031602753.html

[bryanleu2002]

"Calderón said that between "five and 20" of his relatives have migrated and that he does not know their current immigration statuses or whether they entered legally. The relatives include "cousins, uncles and in-laws," he said.
"I'd rather not say who they are," Calderón said."



This statement is almost certainly encouraging illegal immigration, Not a very good role model for children or anybody!

Bryan

[LaoSexMachine]

When in doubt blame America. Why bother fixing your economy and the current situation when it's easier to send your people up north and make a large sum on remittance while playing grab ass and lip service to the same people you promise change for.

[chaz]

I call for open borders between Mexico and Guatamala. Do it now Mexico. Be a good neighbor.

Also, as an American citizen, I'd like to go to Mexico and buy land. Why won't Mexico allow it?

[Felix U. Gómez]

Calderon has balls. In the hundred days he's been in office he's done a lot of good things and demonstrated a willingness to do what he says. As a Mexican I support him and admire him for his courage. Every child born as of the first day of his administration, December 1, 2006, is entitled to coverage by the national healthcare system, a first step towards one day having universal coverage.
The article is biased, it sounds like a collection of things designed to irritated those with an anti-Mexico agenda in the US. He did not say all those things at the same time. Those are things that he has said at different times during his one hundred days in office or even during the months leading to it. Like the thing about having relatives in the US. For those of us that can understand Spanish, he answered the question with both balls and a lot of style, while standing next to Bush. I wish I could say the same about Bush, but the man has neither.
It is interesting that the article doesn't mention Calderon's fight on drugs and the tremendous blow that was given to the Cartels a couple of days ago: more than $205 million dollars in cash seized to a Chinese-Mexican meth operation, quite possibly the biggest seizure of drug money in history (correct me if I'm wrong, it is what I've heard). And he is right when he says that the US isn't doing enough to help, or tell me what the US is doing to curb, diminish or eliminate the demmand for drugs in that country?
Possibly Red Ribbon Week? What you should do is start by giving ALL government employees of all levels, from the President and Congress to soldiers and teachers, mandatory drug testing and fire all those that fail. Then offer incentives to companies that do the same. Lets see if the threat of loosing your job won't diminish the demmand for drugs.
Just my dos centavos.

[Felix U. Gómez]

I call for open borders between Mexico and Guatamala. Do it now Mexico. Be a good neighbor.

Also, as an American citizen, I'd like to go to Mexico and buy land. Why won't Mexico allow it?

Actually you can. Since the Salinas government.

[tuercas]

I call for open borders between Mexico and Guatamala. Do it now Mexico. Be a good neighbor.

Also, as an American citizen, I'd like to go to Mexico and buy land. Why won't Mexico allow it?

we have an "open" border with guatemala, all guatemalans need to come here is a valid guatemalan passport. this is why when other illegal immigrants from other countries are detained, they always claim Guatemalan citizenship yet with no passport, they are deported back to Guatemala.

U can always buy land in Mexico, you just have to have the correct documentation required for foreign nationals to purchase land here. not a difficult process as all the US expats in Chapala and San Miguel De Allende who own homes here can confirm.

[KingoftheHill]

Why are they still bitching???

Don't something like 20,000 Mexicans cross illegally daily?

[chaz]

U can always buy land in Mexico, you just have to have the correct documentation required for foreign nationals to purchase land here. not a difficult process as all the US expats in Chapala and San Miguel De Allende who own homes here can confirm.

I thought foreign nationals couldn't own land in Mexico. What sort of documentation is required? Do you have to show residency? Can a US national own property in Mexico, while still living in the US?

[Power_serj]

*cough* minefield *cough*

[Nano]

*cough* minefield *cough*
*cough*idiot*cough*

[Rifleman]

I thought foreign nationals couldn't own land in Mexico. What sort of documentation is required? Do you have to show residency? Can a US national own property in Mexico, while still living in the US?



Here you go...http://penasco.com/remex.html

[shocker1]

*cough* minefield *cough*
As much as I am upset over illegal immigration, I would asume to pay more taxes to help Mexican illegals survive and have good memories of the tender heart of America while being deported with a smile. No killin please!:-(

[Indianer]

I just can't believe that after all these years that mexico still HAS citizens.

[chaz]

Here you go...http://penasco.com/remex.html

So restrictions apply...

[8thidpathfinderpower]

Here is the thing that rips me....the USA is a soverign country, with its own set of laws and set of customs enforcement, and immagration enforcement...and since 9/11, it has become very critical to national security to start deterrimg illegal immagration.

What I find really disgusting, is the politics being played on both sides of the border, and no one willing to do anything about it. We have incursions by mexican army personnel escorting drug/coyete runners, and engaging US Border patrol personnel, and yet Mexico does nothing. And, we have our lawenforcement personnel crossing into mexice chasing the same people, and they get either detained or arrested, or they just disappear.

If this was taking place in europe or Russia, or any other country for that matter, those events would cause a big internetional incedent, and start a war.

[Aztec Eagle 201st]

Here is the thing that rips me....the USA is a soverign country, with its own set of laws and set of customs enforcement, and immagration enforcement...and since 9/11, it has become very critical to national security to start deterrimg illegal immagration.

What I find really disgusting, is the politics being played on both sides of the border, and no one willing to do anything about it. We have incursions by mexican army personnel escorting drug/coyete runners, and engaging US Border patrol personnel, and yet Mexico does nothing. And, we have our lawenforcement personnel crossing into mexice chasing the same people, and they get either detained or arrested, or they just disappear.

If this was taking place in europe or Russia, or any other country for that matter, those events would cause a big internetional incedent, and start a war.


Im actually all for the wall, i really dont care if they construct 3 walls i know its not going to solve the problems,you can use mines and it will still not stop it ,you can see it in Germanys wall or the mine fields between the south and north korea it wont stop people from crossing over.

Te U.S. is a soverign nation they can do what ever they whant , but is not a smart or inteligent stand.. thats for sure.

If you analized correctly the main article on this thread, any one can see its intended to spark more flame for anti-Mexico suporters.

And about the suposed army escorts of drug dealers, that usually people who live far away from the border uses these example i still to see proof of daily inscursion i dont doubt that at some time maybe some humvee wonder arround in to the U.S. side or that maybe drugdealers at some point where using military looking vehicules to smugle across he border ..but that is far from the thruth of daily insursions.

Its like saying that Border patrol agent kill immigrants on a daily basis.

[Henry's Fork]

Its like saying that Border patrol agent kill immigrants on a daily basis.

True, not many immigrants get killed by BP.

Although, quite a few illegal immigrants do get killed by the BP.

There is a huge difference between the two groups of immigrants.

[Dragunov]

Im actually all for the wall, i really dont care if they construct 3 walls i know its not going to solve the problems,you can use mines and it will still not stop it ,you can see it in Germanys wall or the mine fields between the south and north korea it wont stop people from crossing over.

Te U.S. is a soverign nation they can do what ever they whant , but is not a smart or inteligent stand.. thats for sure.

If you analized correctly the main article on this thread, any one can see its intended to spark more flame for anti-Mexico suporters.

And about the suposed army escorts of drug dealers, that usually people who live far away from the border uses these example i still to see proof of daily inscursion i dont doubt that at some time maybe some humvee wonder arround in to the U.S. side or that maybe drugdealers at some point where using military looking vehicules to smugle across he border ..but that is far from the thruth of daily insursions.

Its like saying that Border patrol agent kill immigrants on a daily basis.


Here is the Video of the OFFICIAL media conference by the National Defense secretary regarding the ''incursion of Mexican army personnel'' into the US. If anyone wants to translate to English please go ahead.

http://www.youtube.com/v/alySPq-T9Ng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alySPq-T9Ng

[Ordie]

Why are they still bitching???

Don't something like 20,000 Mexicans cross illegally daily?

No, There are an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Mexican Tijuana residents commuting back and forth into San Diego metro areas daily for thier jobs (legally). This does not include the 150,000 Americans who do the same back and forth on the border.

In fact Tijuana residents and a growing number of former San Diego residents in Tijuana enjoy the benefit of earning a US paycheck and the relatively low cost of living and medical benefits in Tijuana. Many of these trans-border commuters enjoy a better standard of living than thier undocumneted counterparts living in San Diego County who must cope with the high cost of living.

Ironically enough, the communities that may benefit from President Bush's proposal are the border towns and cities. With the proximity of the border, American businesses may have access to a labor pool, without the need for paying high health insurance rates and US border cities benefit from not dealing with increased housing needs.

For the transborder commuters, its an average of 2 hours to cross by car from Tijuana to San Isidro. 1 hour by foot, 10 minutes by bike.

This is one of the many paradoxes of the border region.

An enterprising individual set up a bike rental business at the border. Walk up, pay a few dollars, walk the bike up to the US checkpoint, show your ID and drop it off at McDonalds on the US side near the San Diego trolley stop. Some of the bike have flat tires or are childrens bikes.

[Felix U. Gómez]

Why are they still bitching???

Don't something like 20,000 Mexicans cross illegally daily?

Get yourself a calculator and stop blowing things out of proportion, 20,000x365=7,300,000. That or learn how to multiply. The figure is closer to 1095.

[Felix U. Gómez]

True, not many immigrants get killed by BP.

Although, quite a few illegal immigrants do get killed by the BP.

There is a huge difference between the two groups of immigrants.

Yes there is a huge difference between both groups that justifies the multiple violations of human rights committed by the US Border Patrol: one is a group of human beings with papers and the other is a group of human beings without papers. I can really see your point.
:roll:

[LaoSexMachine]

One is force to break another country's law because their own government unwillingness to make a better life for thier own people. The other came here lawfully. Funny how people sidestep that.

Human rights violation? They are doing their job no thanks to the American politicians nor the Mexican politicians.


The figure is closer to 1095

So approximately 33,000 a month. Quite alot.

[Ordie]

One is force to break another country's law because their own government unwillingness to make a better life for thier own people.

In recent months, the Mexican government has been very pro-active in combating the cartels, restoring political stability, and making efforts to improve lives of its citizens and visitors.


Mexico’s President Rides Popularity Wave
By JAMES C. McKINLEY Jr.
NY Times
Published: March 18, 2007
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/mexico/index.html?inline=nyt-geo), March 16 — President Felipe Calderón (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/c/felipe_calderon/index.html?inline=nyt-per) is on a roll. You can see it in his relaxed manner these days, his ease at the lectern, whether he is meeting with President Bush or swinging through Baja, California, to unveil new projects.
“I enjoy my work as president,” he said during an interview aboard his official jet on Friday, his eyes bright behind rimless, technocrat glasses. “With all the problems and tensions, which are enormous, I am fulfilling a personal dream for which I have prepared all my life.”
He has reason to look relieved. Just a few months ago, his paper-thin victory gave him almost no mandate in the eyes of many voters, and his leftist rival, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/l/andres_manuel_lopez_obrador/index.html?inline=nyt-per), threatened to thwart his tenure with violent protests, arguing that the election last year had been fraudulent.
Now, recent polls show, Mr. Calderón’s approval ratings are above 50 percent. He has buried Mr. López Obrador under a flurry of projects and proposals, relegating his former nemesis to the netherworld of political gadflies and malcontents deep inside the daily newspapers.
The new president cracked down on violent protests that were tearing apart the colonial city of Oaxaca. He has sent troops and federal agents into several states to combat drug cartels. He also extradited several high-level drug kingpins to the United States.
And this week he took a strong stand in meetings with President Bush, re-establishing Mexico’s historic diplomatic neutrality in the region and firmly criticizing the United States for its immigration (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/immigration_and_refugees/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier) policies.
“After completing his first 100 days in office, we see he has managed in no small measure to legitimize himself through his performance, compensating for his lack of electoral legitimacy,” said José Antonio Crespo, a political analyst.
His detractors say Mr. Calderón’s presidency so far has been more flash than substance. They point out, for instance, that gangland slayings continue at a strong pace despite the show of force by the military and federal police in drug-plagued states.
Rafael Segovia, a political scientist at the College of Mexico, said, "The truth is, I don’t see advances. We’re living through a crisis in the security system.”
“It is spectacle, basically,” Mr. López Obrador said recently. “A media campaign. He is a president of the media. He’s president of the television, of all things to do with media. There is nothing serious.”
Mr. Calderón, a conservative free-trade advocate, dismissed Mr. López Obrador’s criticisms with a wave of his hand during an interview on Friday, saying there were millions of Mexicans and “every one of them has an opinion just as respectable as his.” In the interview, Mr. Calderón said he believed his push to take on crime and poverty from the day of his swearing in on Dec. 1 had put to rest questions about the election.
Still, he acknowledged the biggest challenges were ahead. He has said he wants to break up Mexico’s many monopolies, duopolies and cartels in various private sectors, from cement-makers to brewers.

More:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/18/world/americas/18mexico.html?pagewanted=all


Recent DHS reports 30% decrease of border crossing arrests. It did not say the actual number of successful or attempted crossings.

However the externalities of the increased border enforcement and the Mexican Government actions is putting the squeeze on the Cartels.

[Jobu]

The best part about this article is that the Mexican President is talking about how the poor Mexicans are "forced" to sneak into the USA illegally while he's flying around Mexico in his jet.

[Mr. JOSHUA]

Here is the thing that rips me....the USA is a soverign country, with its own set of laws and set of customs enforcement, and immagration enforcement...and since 9/11, it has become very critical to national security to start deterrimg illegal immagration.

What I find really disgusting, is the politics being played on both sides of the border, and no one willing to do anything about it. We have incursions by mexican army personnel escorting drug/coyete runners, and engaging US Border patrol personnel, and yet Mexico does nothing. And, we have our lawenforcement personnel crossing into mexice chasing the same people, and they get either detained or arrested, or they just disappear.

If this was taking place in europe or Russia, or any other country for that matter, those events would cause a big internetional incedent, and start a war.


Very nice General Bonkers. That sums it up quite nicely.