Pre-Boomer Musings

There are at least 12 million illegal immigrants living in this country.  Some claim the number is closer to 20 million.  The offspring of these people are automatically citizens of the United States.  This makes this group of residents a key economic consideration, both in terms of the contributions they make and the public services they use. 

The census, currently being compiled, will provide more statics about illegal immigrants; but there are questions about the accuracy of the count.  Without waiting for the Census Bureau’s report, the country has been embroiled in a heated debate over the enforcement of the immigration laws.  The passage of a law in Arizona is at the root of the controversy.  But many believe this was enacted because the federal government was not doing a proper job of protecting the border from an invasion of illegals, which has resulted in an increase in drug trafficking and other crimes.

Mexico’s laws against people entering the country illegally are harsh by American standards.  The punishment can be jail, fines and deportation.  Those coming over the southern border without being invited will likely find tougher treatment than those coming from the north.  Strangely, one Mexican governmental agency provides its citizens with information about how to break the US law and sneak into our country.  In the meantime, the rest of the government gives a wink and a nod to this illegal act.

Makes you wonder why a neighboring country would ignore our sovereignty.  But it’s really very simple.  Just follow the money trail.  Mexico is a third world country.  It has a population in excess of 112 million with an average household income of only $12,000 (USD).  So losing residents is a blessing rather than a curse (25% of the citizens live outside of Mexico).  In addition, those that come to America, by whatever means, send home part of their income to help those left behind.  An estimate billion dollars leaves our economy and heads across the border in this manner.  And, because of the country’s low wages, there are many factories built by US businesses looking for low-priced workers; but these dollars stay in Mexico.

Another factor helping Mexico is the produce that is grown there and shipped here.  NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) makes it easy to transport fruits and vegetables to US and Canadian cities.  Over 77% of Mexico’s exports are shipped to the US and Canada accounts for 6%.  American imports are more than 55% of the total amount of goods going into Mexico.  You might think America would have some clout, which could turn into cooperation on the illegal immigrant issue.  Instead, the President of Mexico made it a point to take a shot at Arizona’s new immigration law.

“Discriminatory,” is what Mr. Calderon said about the statute.  Our President did not argue; he said the wording of the law was “troublesome.”  It seems strange that the illegal crossing of goods and contraband from Mexico into the United States is not deemed vital enough for our government to draw a line in the sand and say, “No mas” (no more).      

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