Migration pamphlet draws fire in U.S.: Mexico defends its guide as a way to promote safety
No one north of the US-Mexico border could reasonably argue that illegal immigration is a good thing. It is, however, an understandable thing. If you lived in a Third World country with little hope of supporting your family, but you knew of a way to sneak into a place where you could, wouldn’t you at least be considering the possibility?
Desperation forces people to entertain possibilities that they might not otherwise consider. And crossing into the US illegally can be a dangerous journey fraught with deadly hazards. The Mexican government has decided that turning a blind eye to the risks being taken by Mexican nationals is no longer an option.
MEXICO CITY - The Mexican Foreign Ministry on Tuesday defended a government pamphlet that offers advice to migrants illegally crossing the border into the United States, saying it was trying to help save lives without encouraging people to break the law.
“Last year, more than 300 Mexicans died on the border,” Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Geronimo Gutierrez told the Houston Chronicle. “Our government has a commitment to defend the lives of its citizens.”
In 32 pages of text and comic-book-style illustrations, the paperback, Guide for the Mexican Migrant, gives pointers on navigating deserts and swimming rivers safely.
There comes a time when you have to recognize, acknowledge, and deal with the realities on the ground. Yes, sneaking into the US is illegal, but given the economic disparities between life in the US and life in Mexico, does the Mexican government have the option of looking the other way? Or does it do the right thing in attempting to provide information that may save lives? If you struggle to answer that question, you might want to take a look in the mirror and see if you can locate your lost humanity.
George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William and Mary, said the guide sends a message that the Mexican government endorses illegal immigration.
“It is a wink and a nod to illegal immigrants,” Grayson said. “How would they feel if the Guatemalans published a guide on how to get into Mexico?”
Anti-immigration groups in the United States sharply criticized the Mexican government for publishing the pamphlet, saying it shows a flagrant disregard for U.S. border regulations.
“It is a thinly disguised how-to-do-it guide,” said Robert Goldsborough, president of Americans for Immigration Control, a lobby group.
An editorial in Tuesday’s Washington Times also slammed the pamphlet and urged Secretary of State Colin Powell to file a complaint with the Mexican ambassador.
Any reasonable human being would no doubt like the reasons for this state of affairs to disappear. In a perfect world, there would be ample opportunities available for Mexicans in Mexico. Clearly, we live in a decidedly imperfect world, and Mexicans looking for a better life and a chance to support their families are weighing the risks and taking them anyway. Again, can the Mexican government afford to look the other way while people die?
I would never support a government enabling illegal behavior of any sort…unless their is a clearly defined humanitarian issue in play. Such is the situation in place on the ground. How about a suggestion, y’all? If you are against illegal immigration, how about working to create a situation where this is no longer viewed as an option? How about working with the Mexican government to help provide opportunities for Mexicans to earn a living wage in Mexico? Instead of whining about the problem and condemning the Mexican government for working to save the lives of desperate Mexicans, take some positive action.
Of course, it is easier to whine about the problem than to actually attempt to do something positive. The awful truth is that Mexico is a Third World country, as anyone who has driven through El Paso on I-10 can attest. Americans along the border have an interest in ensuring that Mexicans stay in Mexico. You’d think that more of us would take an active interest in trying to work towards a solution.
The Mexican government also has a role to play here, but it needs help. Until and unless it receives this help, nothing will change on the ground. Your choice, y’all….
