Mexican GOVERNMENT to protest US border fence - Page 3

avsp · 10-02-2006, 07:54 AM

Does the US historically have ANY tresponsibility in helping maintain the status quo in Mexico?
more importantly, ..., if the Mexican economy is dependant on foreign remittences then if these were to be severely curtailed would the increased ;floubdering' be likely to be in the US national interests?

Lastly, i find the stuff about people in queues/shops etc not able to speak english vastly amusing.

kinggovernor · 10-02-2006, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by avsp

Does the US historically have ANY tresponsibility in helping maintain the status quo in Mexico?

no but we signed NAFTA, which helped them alot

KatKanPlay · 10-02-2006, 08:32 AM

I live in So. Texas and work in the construction industry on a military base. As I mentioned in an earlier post and maybe even another thread, documentation is not researched as to authenticity. We work with a very large proportion of non english speaking mexican nationals who make $7-$8 and hour as opposed to $12-$15. Now speaking in terms of financial benefits, the majority of these people travel to Mexico every weekend with their money, and that is where they leave it. So if we are going to look at all the statistics, I would think this one would have to be examined as well. The money they make does not stay here and does not contribute to our economy. All but very minor living expenses (15 to an apartment) goes across the border payday afer payday.

KatKanPlay · 10-02-2006, 08:34 AM

And 1 more thing to throw into the mix. Have you been into a state or government agency recently? You have your choice of paperwork, English or Spanish. That alnoe has to be very expensive.

avsp · 10-02-2006, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

no but we signed NAFTA, which helped them alot

Isnt it usually seen as having harmed Mexican industry & thus increasing emigration pressure in Mexico?

Meanwhile
Its not authoritive, nor exhustive but, (for example), Before Democracy: Memories of Mexican Elections , suggests that the US was quite happy to allow the PRI to carry on its rule through electorial fraud & mere lip service to the demoractic process.

Seemingly this was in the interests of 'stability', ..., but time were different then & there were the Cold War fears of a communist neighbour etc

motivez · 10-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Now they're trying to talk Bush into vetoing the legislation:

Mexico urges Bush to veto U.S. border fence bill
By Greg Brosnan

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico pleaded with President Bush on Monday to veto a Senate proposal to build a fence to keep illegal immigrants out, saying it could backfire by making the border less secure.

The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly backed a bill on Friday to put up about 700 miles of fence, a project Republicans hope will impress voters calling for tougher immigration control ahead of November 7 congressional elections.

"The Mexican government strongly opposes the building of walls in the border area between Mexico and the United States," President Vicente Fox's spokesman Ruben Aguilar told reporters.

"This decision hurts bilateral relations, goes against the spirit of cooperation needed to guarantee security on the common border, creates a climate of tension in border communities," he said.

Aguilar said Mexico would send a diplomatic note to Washington on Monday urging Bush to veto the bill, which requires the president's signature to become law.

Bush had hoped for broad immigration legislation that would create a guest-worker program, which would match workers with jobs Americans are unwilling to do. But House Republicans had pushed for greater emphasis on sealing the porous frontier.

Mexicans are livid about the fence plan, which is seen as a slap in the face to efforts during Fox's near-completed six-year term to come to an agreement with Washington on immigration.

President-elect Felipe Calderon, who takes office December 1, also has lambasted the fence plan and the issue promises to prickle his relationship with Washington from the outset.

Hundreds of Latin Americans, mostly Mexicans, die each year crossing perilous rivers and deserts separating the two countries, and tougher control has increased fatalities.

"Partial measures focused exclusively on security ignore reality and represent ... a political answer rather than a viable solution to this problem," Aguilar said.

Asked about the fence at an international media forum in Mexico City, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said: "We need to know who's coming across our borders and after years of not paying that much attention to the frontier ... we are now attempting to come to terms with it."

"We recognize that how this is perceived outside the United States is not positive but we would ask for patience."

Fat chance. Not in an election year.

If it wasn't, and Bush's numbers were better, he would have gotten the bill he wanted -- along with the guest worker plan.

Kytro · 10-03-2006, 01:04 AM

Mexico can complain I guess, also I sort of question the effectiveness of a 1/3 of the border being fenced. Doesn't that leave 2/3 of the border not fenced?

KatKanPlay · 10-03-2006, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kytro

Mexico can complain I guess, also I sort of question the effectiveness of a 1/3 of the border being fenced. Doesn't that leave 2/3 of the border not fenced?

Like I said before, its like a band aid over a 3" gash. That usually doesnt work very well, and I dont expect this fence will either.

Kytro · 10-03-2006, 09:29 PM

I'm not sure what level of co-operation Mexico currently offers in relation to the problem. I'm sure many detractors will say none, but I find it hard to believe they wouldn't at least ahve some minimal level of support for the US on th eissue (not the fence, the 'illegals')

KatKanPlay · 10-03-2006, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Kytro

I'm not sure what level of co-operation Mexico currently offers in relation to the problem. I'm sure many detractors will say none, but I find it hard to believe they wouldn't at least ahve some minimal level of support for the US on th eissue (not the fence, the 'illegals')

You would think we would hear more about talks between our 2 governments on the matter, but my guess is our government doesnt feel it needs or wants Mexicos assistance in this. It really seems to me that with the world atmosphere we live in today, it might make sense to make sure Mexico remains an ally. But at the same time we HAVE to take a stand on illegal immigration.