More than 350,000 Mexicans have returned home since U.S. attacks

The News (Mexico City) ^ | November 7, 2001

[sarcasm]

Illegal immigrants enter California by running into traffic on I-5 to avoid the Border Patrol. Usually Mexicans are busy trying to get into the U.S., but since the Sept. 11, thousands want to come home. File Photo, TheNewsMexico.com

More than 350,000 Mexicans have returned home since U.S. attacks
AFP - 11/7/2001

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco - More than 350,000 Mexicans have returned home in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. but that figure doesn't represent an alarming trend, said the director of the National Migration Institute.

The significant return of Mexicans who reside in the United States has to do with the fact that "contracts, mostly temporary ones, have expired and because the economic situation over there is not so great," said Felipe de Jesus Preciado.

Because of the current negative economic conditions that have prevailed since the attacks, he said, "350,000 men and women have returned to Mexico," adding in the coming months at least 150,000 more are expected to come home. This would bring the number of Mexicans "who prefer to live in their own country again" to a record 500,000 the official said.

Despite the nine percent increase in the return flow of immigrants over the same period last year, the trend isn't worrisome, Preciado assured.

More than 40 percent of returning immigrants enter through the international airport in Guadalajara prompting the government to open a migrant program office to assist and protect the rights of returning Mexicans.

The program was created in 1989 to help returning citizens, principally from the U.S., in processing legal documents and protect them from bureaucratic corruption.

There are currently 20 million people of Mexican origin living in the United States. Approximately 4 million were admitted legally in the 1990s, a figure 63 higher than the number admitted in the first 80 years of the 20th century.

According to recent government figures, Mexicans in the U.S. sent back a record 8 billion dollars between January and October. This represents more than 1 percent of the national GDP and is one of Mexico's largest sources of foreign income.

Translated by Armando Saliba

[backhoe]

Our pourous borders are indeed a dreadful security risk, and since a terrorist- or other "undesirable agent of a foreign power"- can be anyone ( they don't wear a sign! ) the risk is doubled.

[MissAmericanPie]

Sad but true. Everyone is looked after but wage earning citizens and their interest it seems. It is certainly not in our interest to have 1% of our GNP bled off to Mexico and not spent in this country buying good and services. We especially need it because of the recession we are in.

Throw everyone off welfare, when they get hungry enough they will be happy to do the jobs that illegals do.

[Wonder Warthog]

"I really don't want people who broke our laws serving the US in any way. They should be kicked out, no exceptions."

It is called admitting guilt and making restitution. Any illegal alien who enters a recruiting station, volunteers for the military, and completes his term of service honorably will have accomplished both. We don't ask any more of our native criminals.

[madrussian]

This puts to rest the assertion that they'll never leave on their own even if employment is denied to them and the authorities start harassing them. Most illegals have come here because of the perceived attitude of the Americans that it's OK and because they could easily find a job.

I say good start but additional impetus must be added. Strike the iron while it's hot!

[dirtboy]

This puts to rest the assertion that they'll never leave on their own even if employment is denied to them and the authorities start harassing them.

Well, 350,000 have left, I figure that still leaves at least 4 million...

[Howlin]

Why would illegal aliens leaving the country be "an alarming trend?" Not to me.

[madrussian]

Not when you consider that those from India and other nations with residence status send for their elderly parents to come over on a six month visa so that they can file for SS payments and then return to India and the government will mail their checks to them there.

People on tourist visas aren't eligible for SS payments. You must have confused temporary stays on tourist visas with naturalized citizens sponsoring their parents and bringing them over here to suck on the taxpayer dollar.

[madrussian]

Well, 350,000 have left, I figure that still leaves at least 4 million...

Considering that there are no new restrictions and harassment from the authorities and that the amount left has done so solely due to the slowdown in the economy, it shows that many more will leave if some measures are taken.

[Age of Reason]

because the economic situation . . . is not so great

Hey, what happened to freedom?

I kept hearing those illegals sneaked into America because they love freedom.

You mean it was all about money?

[FITZ]

If we just sent them their welfare checks to their Mexican address, they might decide to stay in their own country.

I'm sure some figured out some way to keep receiving them. An aunt of a woman I know just was arrested for receiving welfare benefits in 4 different states by using different combinations of several of her actual names and false documents but she's out of jail already. She was legalized in the 1980's mass amnesty program, she's worried she might get kicked out of the US but that probably won't happen.

[lds23]

VAMOOOSE !!!

[Sabertooth]

"Illegal alien is illegal alien !"

Illiegal alien is colonista.

350,000 is less than 5% of the solution.

[Victoria Delsoul]

There are currently 20 million people of Mexican origin living in the United States. Approximately 4 million were admitted legally in the 1990s, a figure 63 higher than the number admitted in the first 80 years of the 20th century.

Wow, 20 million people, almost as many as the Canadian population.

[Sabertooth]

almost as many as the Canadian population.

Canada?

I like the way you think.... Nice "Plan B."

[Victoria Delsoul]

:-)

[clamper1797]

God .... I'm going to miss them (/sarcasm)

[Snow Bunny]

Your #56. heh heh.....

[clamper1797]

How about .. adios Bendajo (sp?)

Esta la bye bye

[clamper1797]

Hi Snow ... Hey I found some Bob Hope pics from the Singapore show Xmas 72. I'll try to get em scanned in. I got more somewhere included one of you .... I think

[Snow Bunny]

Oh wow that would be great. A neat day to see them would be Sunday on Veterans day. I am trying to find some neat Veterans Day graphics to post at the Canteen on Sunday.That is a big day and we will celebrate big time.Cyber food, cyber drinks the works.