Mexicans Told Immigration Reform Is Dead for Now Because of Terrorism Concerns

AP ^ | 11/20 07:00 pm EDT | George Gedda

[flamefront]

By George Gedda Associated Press Writer
Published: Nov 20, 2001

WASHINGTON (AP) - A comprehensive immigration agreement between Mexico and the United States will have to be deferred because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, administration officials said Tuesday.

The officials, asking not to be identified, said they notified a visiting Mexican delegation that security concerns will have to take a higher priority in cross-border relations.

They said the Mexicans understood and accepted the U.S. decision.

Mexican President Vicente Fox has been a harsh critic of the current system, in which Mexican migrants who come to the United States are unable to escape their illegal status.

President Bush seemed to agree. During Fox's Sept. 5 visit here, he and Bush committed themselves to an approach that respects "the human dignity of all migrants," regardless of their legal status.

But the U.S. officials said that too many members of Congress believe that any measure that legalizes undocumented aliens would increase U.S. vulnerability to a terrorist attack.

Since Sept. 11, the administration has been making it more difficult for foreigners to enter the country. For Mexicans, this has meant more stringent searches at border crossings.

Visa processes for young men from Arab and Muslim nations have also been delayed to give officials more time to search for evidence of terrorist activities.

Immigration reform has be a high priority for Fox since he took office a year ago. When he met with Bush, Fox challenged him to reach an agreement by the end of the year.

Bush did not embrace the timetable but agreed that a legalization process - short of blanket amnesty - was called for, given the contributions Mexican workers have made to the U.S. economy.

The U.S. and Mexican delegations met for several hours Tuesday at the State Department. The American delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mary Ryan, also included Justice and Labor Department officials and immigration officials.

Mexico's delegation was led by Gustavo Mohar, a migration expert at Mexico's Secretariat for External Relations; and Rodolfo Tuiran, who heads Mexico's National Council on Population.

Another meeting will probably be held sometime in January. The officials said the U.S. side wants to keep options open in case political conditions change.

On Monday, a Mexican delegation met with Tom Ridge, the director of homeland security, and other officials to discuss border issues.

AP-ES-11-20-01 1900EST

[patriciaruth]

This is distressing news about Mexico. I was hoping for a ray of friendship amid the gloom.

[freekitty]

Then it's about control and money. It always is.

[swampfox98]

Mexican President Vicente Fox has been a harsh critic of the current system, in which Mexican migrants who come to the United States are unable to escape their illegal status.

Can I scream now? AAARRRGGGGG! Sometimes I think I fell down Alice's rabbit hole.