Mexican Ads on Immigration Reform

Mexico published advertisements in major newspapers inMexico and in the United States on Monday saying migrants should have the samerights as everyone else and calling it “indispensable” that the twocountries reach a migration accord.

Published in English in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the LosAngeles Times, and in Spanish in leading Mexico City newspapers, the full-pageads coincide with expected U.S. Senate debate on a bill that would extendfences along the U.S.-Mexico border crack down on illegal immigration with lawenforcement and the military.

“Acknowledging the sovereign right of each country to regulate theentrance of foreigners, it is indispensable to find a solution for theundocumented population that lives in the United States and contributes to thedevelopment of the country, so that people can be fully incorporated into theiractual communities, with the same rights and duties,” the ad read.

The ad’s content was taken primarily from a report outlining the goals andrecommendations of a committee of Mexican legislators, executive branchofficials, diplomats, academics, foreign policy experts and social groupleaders.

The ad states that Mexico wants “a far-reaching guest workers scheme”and that “in order for a guest workers program to be viable, Mexico shouldparticipate in its design, management, supervision and evaluation.”

“Mexico does not promote undocumented migration,” it read, addingthat Mexico “is committed to fighting all forms of human smuggling andrelated criminal activities.”

But both countries share the responsibility in dealing with the issue – whichwas complicated immensely after the Sept. 11 attacks and Washington’ssubsequent moves to beef up security along its borders, Mexico said in the ads.

It also acknowledged that it needs to create incentives for its citizens toreturn home, and suggested offering housing credits.

And it called for the creation of a cross-border medical insurance system,while proposing that Mexicans living and working in the United States continueto qualify for pension programs in their native country.

President Vicente Fox’s spokesman Ruben Aguilar said Monday that Mexicopublished the ads to make the government’s views “better known andevaluated by relevant actors who participate in the migration debate.”

Source: AP, Mar. 20, 2006

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