Monday, May 21, 2007

Mexican Woes and Immigration Need Doable Plans

By Jerry Brewer

Mexico, a nation of over 100 million people, with 90 percent-plus literacy and tourism revenue estimated at over US$11 billion, audaciously continues to draw superfluous criticism.  Most of the clamor directed at emigration by those who are illegal in the United States, and domestic violent crime.

Much of the unheeded precipitance is obviously misguided by a legion of the shortsighted.  In fact, the narrow prism focuses in on illegal aliens crossing the border for employment and other physiological sustenance, with a vociferous message to all immigrants — “English only.”  Ironically, much of the Mexican tourism welcoming U.S. visitors attempts to do just that.

How many of the “not so informed” critics know that Mexico imports from the United States are over 59 percent?  Too, how many realize Mexico’s crude oil reserves were estimated in 2005 to be over 33 billion barrels?

The slaughter in Mexico, due to the drug war as well as infighting between the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels, continues.  Grenade launchers, assault rifles and automatic weapons are the tools of ruthless assassins who have killed even top law enforcement officials with impunity.  Much of this violence is concentrated in Mexican cities near the U.S. border.  All of this in support of supplying a US$30 billion drug habit in the United States.

So where is the moral outrage for this overwhelming U.S. demand for drugs from Latin America?

Crime fears throughout Mexico are widespread.  This trepidation has resulted in a false sense of security or panacea for security cameras, tracking devices and other security hardware.  The security business in Mexico is booming.  Kidnappings, beheadings and other forms of assault fuel this demand.  But how can security devices be of much salvation when they must be backed up with strong law enforcement interdiction?

President Felipe Calderon has shown valiant initiative since his election in going after the drug cartels by sending troops and federal agents aggressively into a number of different states.  Too, he is tending to a monumental task in trying to rescue cities, streets, schools and parks from this violence.

Sadly, citizens of Mexico are terrified that this aggressive posture against the drug cartels will place them in greater danger of violence in retaliation.  A statewide camera system, known as the “North Border Program,” is planned for the recently violent state of Tamaulipas that borders Texas.  The efforts should be applauded, but the shortcomings of the idea are obvious in terms of proactive and consistent policing initiatives in enforcement.  One can only imagine the disguises and face covering that will ensue in response to the cameras.

President Calderon must get cooperative assistance from neighboring nations against crime, the importation of weapons, terrorism, and the drug trade.  He must continue to place a high value on human life and deploy specialized patrol and policing strategies, intelligence gathering, tactical response and forensics.  In addition, he will need modern police administration and leadership, as well as counterterrorism training for his law enforcement cadre.

And the United States must begin to create and deploy strategic initiatives in drug demand reduction to show Mexico that we too can be part of the solution.

U.S. citizens must also understand that, realistically, the estimated 12 million Mexicans living in the U.S. illegally cannot all be deported.  The immigration system is broken and needs a competent overhaul.  This will not be accomplished quickly, regardless of the perceived outrage and indignation exhibited by many.  It is a complex problem with no easy solution, and partisan interests cannot expect a quick fix or appeasement.  It will require lawmakers to work together, in unity with Mexico, and the consideration of human life, the family, and prolonged anguish. 

There is no doubt that illegal immigration is a problem needing timely solutions, and it must not be ignored.  However hatred, violence and knee-jerk solutions will do far more harm than good to an important neighbor and ally.  After all, Mexico is the gateway to Latin America — a strategic Western Hemisphere landmass in need of stability.

Legal immigrants, and American citizens of Mexican heritage, are growing in numbers within the United States.  The U.S. Border Patrol recently stated that 6,700 of 12,800 Border Patrol agents are Hispanic Americans of Mexican ancestry.  The City of Laredo, Texas alone boasts a 94 percent Hispanic population.

Where does all of this begin and end?  Well, it must begin with a mutual unity of purpose between two nations in recognizing sovereign rights.  As well, there must be respect for human dignity and a spirit of compassion.

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Jerry Brewer, the Vice President of Criminal Justice International Associates, a global risk mitigation firm headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a guest columnist with MexiData.info.  He can be reached via e-mail at Cjiaincusa@aol.com.