Mexican leader faces chilly U.S. relations

The reason why Mexico is having chilly relations with the United States because we are importing Mexico's poor and the American tapayer is paying for them. Mexico refused to do nothing about the corruption that is pervasive in all levels of government. There is a massive crime wave being committed more and more by Mexican nationals against American citizens. Could this also be another reason why there is a chill between Mexico and the United States?The author of the piece does not touch this.

Illegal Aliens: A Few Myths to Keep in Mind . . .

GEORGE GRAYSON

Mexico City. Last Tuesday the Pew Hispanic Center announced that 41 percent of Mexicans surveyed in February and 46 percent questioned in May stated they would live in the United States if given "the means and opportunity." Indeed, two out of 10 people interviewed said they were prepared to enter the U.S. illegally. These figures could have amazing consequences because our Spanish- speaking neighbor has a population of nearly 106 million inhabitants.

Recent Virginia news stories have focused on the issue of illegals attending college in the U.S. Although we can sympathize with individuals, it might be useful to look at half-truths -- or, in some cases, myths -- that have suffused the immigration debate.

(1)Mexico has no good universities. True, many schools in the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) -- with 350,000-plus students -- are highly politicized. However, ITESM, known as "Monterrey Tech," has a network of excellent campuses throughout the country.

(2)Welcoming the 65,000 illegal aliens who graduate from high school to American colleges is cost-free. In fact, there are a limited number of places in freshman classes. Should individuals who have broken the law be preferred over applicants who have played by the rules?

(3)DIVERSITY HAS enriched the United States, which -- as a "nation of immigrants" -- has a moral obligation to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate of other lands. Times have changed. Exploding populations in poor countries and advances in transportation and communication have made America a "promised land" for millions upon millions of "have-nots." The U.S. has responded with the world's most liberal immigration policies. Yet, uncomfortably high domestic unemployment and overcrowded schools, highways, and hospitals mean that only a small fraction of those clamoring for admission can be accommodated without greatly sacrificing the quality of life of Americans, especially the poor.

(4)Illegal aliens are younger than the U.S. population as a whole and are, therefore, an economic asset. While there is an element of truth to this proposition, it overlooks the competition that immigrants pose to younger workers in the U.S., notably African-Americans and Chicanos, who suffer the highest rates of joblessness.

(5)Because they pay taxes, contribute to Social Security, and don't apply for welfare, illegal aliens put in more than they take from government coffers. Officials in Arizona find this proposition nonsensical: Illegal immigrants cost their state -- for education, health care, and prisons -- approximately $1.3 billion more annually than they pay in taxes. A study by the Center for Immigration Reform (CIS) found that the burden of such unlawful residents on the 2002 federal budget was $10.4 billion -- with Medicaid, health care, and prisons constituting the high-ticket items.

(6)Mexicans and other illegals perform menial work spurned by Americans. In some instances this is true; however, in March, 2003, there were 8.8 million Americans working full-time without a high-school education, 1.3 million school drop-outs unemployed, and a further 6.8 million not even in the workforce. "There is a good deal of evidence that these workers are in direct competition with Mexican immigrants -- i.e., these are jobs that Americans are doing already," according to immigration expert Mark Krikorian.

(7)AS IS THE case with most problems in a democracy, pressures will eventually compel American politicians to limit the flow of illegal aliens. In pursuit of political clout, many Hispanic-American groups welcome the influx of Spanish-speaking people.

The Electoral College magnifies the influence of ethnic groups viewed as power brokers in pivotal states such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York. Postponing action on unlawful immigration will strengthen those special pleaders who oppose enforcing U.S. laws.

(8)The guest worker plan that operated between 1942 and 1964 -- along with the 1986 amnesty -- proved successful in reducing illegal immigration and fostering bilateral cooperation. In fact, a robust stream of unlawful immigration paralleled the legal guest-worker program. Rather than end unlawful entries, the amnesty legislation gave rise to a snowballing of unlawful newcomers who believed that the first amnesty would beget a second amnesty, and so forth.

Continuing a porous border will see the current flood of illegals become a tidal wave and possibly spark an anti-foreign backlash in view of the two-thirds of Americans who oppose amnesty. The Statue of Liberty may hold the torch of freedom in one hand, but she has a book of laws in the other.

George Grayson, who represented the 97th District in Virginia's House of Delegates, teaches Latin American politics at the College of William & Mary

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