This is not about the movie Men in
Black. The title comes from an old spiritual song called "Go tell in on
the mountain". In the song is the phrase, "Who's that yonder dressed in
black? Must be the hypocrites turnin' back". Well, we do have hypocrites
in our part of the world. And they are turning back on issues concerning
immigration - in both México and the United States.
First let’s agree: Every country has the right, if not the obligation
to control its borders. And this includes the right to regulate who and
what enters and exits across those borders. It is also the obligation of a
sovereign country to protect its citizens from threats from abroad. These
are the reasons that countries have immigration controls and customs along
with necessary enforcement personnel to assure that borders are orderly
and function in their country’s best interests. There is no inherent right
of foreigners to cross borders. Border crossings is the exclusive domain
of each country acting in their best interests. It also helps, but is not
required, that these processes be fair to all. But, let's look at what is
going on either side of the US-Mexico border.
México: For years, México has had a policy of using the northern
border as a social "safety valve". This policy recognizes that México,
even after establishing the "in bond" assembly plants in the North, is not
capable of creating enough jobs for its population. And more recent
changes in the social/financial landscape have exacerbated the situation.
Still trying to market "cheap labor" in this day and age considering the
lock that Asia has on that sector is out of reality. But rather than
trying to fix the structural problems, México finds it easier to just
export the problem to the North. The "safety valve" concept is, as Tony
Garza, US ambassador to México, said, "not a sustainable policy". In
addition, the increase of "remittances" sent home from the North by
México's ex-pats is keeping México financially afloat (due to a
nonfunctional national tax system). So, as a result, México unofficially
does everything possible to encourage this northward migration. And while
complaining about mistreatment of their migrants (read illegals) in the US
the Mexican government rightly requires full documentation of incoming
migrants to México for any legal rights. This is hypocrisy. But, we must
also point out that México does have a functioning immigration system that
allows for an orderly immigration process.
The United States: The US does have a real need for incoming migrants
for a number of reasons, but won't admit it. Many of the same forces that
confound México are also threatening the US. Namely globalization. In
order to compete in the worldwide market, they must improve productivity.
Read this as doing more with fewer employees and lower paid employees at
that. This is only an extension of what has been going on in Europe,
although not as extreme . . . yet. Businesses are reorganizing, going
offshore and declaring bankruptcy in a mad scramble to compete in the word
market. And this also includes sharp cuts in traditional benefits. Take a
look at the airline and automakers if you don't believe me. And with
migrants willing to work for far less than the natives (and still able to
send money back home), many businesses have found a way to keep operating
onshore by using illegals. This is hypocrisy. One of the big complaints is
how much of a load that the illegals put on social services like medical
aid. But they ignore the fact that the illegal sector is only part of the
increase. You have to add in the number of natives that have lost benefits
due to the general cutbacks in benefits.
Whether either side will come clean on this situation is
problematical. The government in México is in a state of paralysis. The
blame game is in full swing while the political campaign for the 2006
election has started. And it would seem the same in the US with posturing
and campaigning for the 2006 mid-elections and believe it or not, for the
2008 election.
The out-of-control common border situation is ripe for real problems.
That includes the immense dope traffic (that the US won't control the
market for) along with the world wide terror threat. In addition, any
serious disruption of the northward flow of migrants seeking jobs will
certainly destabilize México quickly.
One thing about "border control" that is overlooked in the US by
many, is that along with "securing" the border, is the need for the
improvement of the ossified immigration system that had been in continual
deterioration for many administrations in the US. An orderly system would
allow "vetted" migrants to do needed work, and would allow the return to
their homeland to those who have completed the work . . . and be available
for future jobs later. Many retired border patrol personnel state that
updating the control process could solve 90% of the border problem. I
maintain that a visa system that requires 6 months to issue even a tourist
visa is broken. Unfortunately past and present US administrations have
been loath to fix this. And few recent proposals really address that
situation.
For México, they are at a crossroad. Whether to clean up their act
and fully join the "first world" or stick their heads in the sand and hope
for the best. That hasn't worked in the past and won't work for the
future.
In spite of all the above, it is encouraging to see increasing
cooperation between México and the US on cross border issues. I note the
recognition in San Diego of Mexican police cooperation of tracking down
and returning to the US of fleeing criminals. And Mexico is trying hard to
cut down the dope trade going to the US dope market. That war has cost a
lot of lives in Mexico. And we note the cross border cooperation on fire
fighting in the San Diego area. We can work together for our mutual
benefit, you know.
But there are a lot of people dressed in black on both sides of the
border.
_____________________________________
Richard N. Baldwin T., a HispanicVista.com (http://www.hispanicvista.com/)
contributing columnist, lives in Tlalnepantla, Edo de México. E-mail at:
R1041643422@aol.com
By
Richard N. Baldwin T. /HispanicVista.com