Think we are being too hard on our immigrants? An American working in Mexico. (Part 1)

Examiner.com ^ | May 28, 2010 | Rene Girard

[jackspyder]

receive quite a few emails that pique my interest and occasionally I like to share. This one entitled "An American working in Mexico" is said to be written by Tom O'Malley who was a director with Southwestern Bell in Mexico City. It provides us an inside look at the rigorous process a person must go through in order to work legally in Mexico, including corruption and bribes.

- - - - -

"I spent 5 years working in Mexico.

I worked under a tourist Visa for 3 months and could legally renew it for 3 more months. After that you were working illegally. I was technically illegal for 3 weeks waiting on the FM3 approval.

"During that 6 months our Mexican and U.S. attorneys were working to secure a permanent work visa called a 'FM3'. It was in addition to my U.S. passport that I had to show each time I entered and left the country. Barbara's was the same, except hers did not permit her to work ...

[sunbird]

This is why they are ALL trying to come here!!!!!

[Ouderkirk]

I think we’re being far too soft on illegal crimigrants.

[rovenstinez]

From someone who knows...what the guy is saying is factual.

[Secret Agent Man]

First, whoever coined 'crimmigrants' - that is a fantastic word. Second, all states need to pass a " Will Treat Illegals Exactly Like Mexico" law. Then we'll see just how hard illegals are treated. ANdfor the record, America has rounded up and tossed out millions of illegals before. With far less resources and technolgical help we have today. Particularly in hard times, the 1930s under Hoover, under Truman after the war, and under Eisenhower in the 50s. It can be done. It can be done even now.

[sunbird]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Auntie Mame]

Yikes! What an amazing narrative on what it’s like to be an American legally living and working in Mexico. They sure put you through a lot and then add on the fees and bribes.....!

[HiJinx]

Ping!

The story from the other side of the border...

[Slyfox]

Good read.

[DoughtyOne]

When I came back to California in the 70s, we were busing illegals back to the border from Los Angeles daily.

This government will spend money they don’t have for what they want, and won’t enforce our laws because we don’t have the money (/s).

I used to think Mexico was a banana republican, but then it’s telling our government what it can or can’t do. So I guess we’re either the banana republic, or we’re just groveling to a banana republic.

[redhead]

"First, whoever coined 'crimmigrants' - that is a fantastic word."

I usually call them just what they are: CRIMINAL TRESPASSERS.

[Secret Agent Man]

I see a flaw in LA’s scheme back then. They only bussed them back to the border. Gotta do what Mexico does and bus them in several hundred miles into their home country. Makes it a lot longer to get back if they decide to.

[Dust in the Wind]

From firsthand experience I can say the contortions, fees and file thickness's are similar for a legal immigrant to this nation, FWIW.

[Dust in the Wind]

Minus the bribes...maybe that is what the liberals are wanting?

[DoughtyOne]

Well, that may be, but it worked back in the 70s. We only had about 35,000 a year coming over the border back then.

[Secret Agent Man]

I certainly don’t doubt you that it might have been all you had to do then. Today they’d be back over the next day.