Round Rock Reads!

Why are people so desperate to come here? There are three main reasons: 1) the disparity between the standards of living in the two adjoining countries, 2) the failure of successive Mexican governments to address this disparity adequately (for reasons of ideology and poor application of resources (the PRI has a big responsibility here), and 3) the demand for cheap labor in the agriculture and construction sectors in this country.

How can this desperation be relieved? If people are no longer so desperate to improve their lot, they may actually prefer to stay at home. Wouldn’t you, in the same circumstances?

Fixing these problems is beyond the power of the U.S. Congress. It cannot decree an improvement in Mexican living standards, and it cannot make the Mexican government do what should have been done long ago. Until the general standard of living in Mexico improves (and it is very much in our interest to assist in this, as a respectful friend), the flow of workers to the north will continue – does it not make sense to regulate this, with some form of registration, however loose?  Temporary visas will not work, because once people are established here, they won’t go back home unless they have some guarantee that they will be able to return here later on, so they will just remain here when their temporary visas expire.

For some, the alternative is to create a kind of iron curtain, with high walls, barbed wire and armed patrols, to build deportation camps in this country for those found without papers, and to require everyone to carry ID. Is that the kind of country we want to live in? There is much talk of punishment and retribution (always a favorite solution in Texas), but we need a more constructive approach to an agonizing human problem.

JT

If the disparity between the standards of living between the US and Mexico were minimized and there was no immigration from Mexico, where would America get its cheap labor source?  Would helping Mexican improve their standard of living include helping them get health care in their own country?  Would it include helping Mexico improve their schools for their children?  This solution seems to be the same as providing those benefits here, and we wouldn't even get the cheap landscaping.  

JW

Fair point, JamesW. My arguments so far have been based on the assumption that we need to stop or at least control immigration, rather than let the present situation continue, although it does benefit the US much more than Mexico, as you imply.

Yes, if immigration is reduced, there will be a shortage of cheap labor here, but there's no shortage of people telling us that poor Americans are lining up for these jobs (if only they paid a little better). Personally, I'm not entirely convinced of this. I suppose, as a trial, we could try encouraging our vacationing high school students to do landscaping and construction work instead of going to camp, doing sports, taking dance classes, or (hush my mouth) volunteering at the library.

JT