El Centro Councilman David Dhillon, Los Alamitos Mayor Pro Tem Ron Bates, Buena Park Mayor Art Brown
to Brief Fox Administration on Project for Immigrant Lives,
Southwest Compact
Los Angeles, CA - A delegation of local elected leaders representing the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) will travel to Mexico City, Mexico for a series of meetings with key officials in the Fox administration, formally establishing contact and developing relationships for future collaborative opportunities for the Project for Immigrant Lives, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Southwest Compact. The SCAG delegation includes Los Alamitos Mayor Pro Tem Ron Bates, SCAG president; El Centro City Councilman David Dhillon, chair of SCAG’s Project for Immigrant Lives; Buena Park Mayor Art Brown, Chair of SCAG’s NAFTA Subcommittee and its Goods Movement Advisory Committee; Bruce DeVine, SCAG chief economist; and Eddie Tafoya, SCAG government relations staff.
“This trip is an excellent opportunity for us to build bridges between Southern California and the new president’s administration in Mexico,” said Mayor Pro Tem Bates. “We see ourselves in a unique position to deal with a number of matters of common interest and concern to our respective constituents, and we look forward to initiating a constructive, long-lasting dialogue.”
“The ongoing tragedy of immigrant deaths is a matter of tremendous concern on both sides of the border and, since its formation, the Project for Immigrant Lives has been working closely with the Mexican Consulate,” said El Centro Councilman Dhillon. “We are excited to have an opportunity to discuss the Project’s accomplishments and ongoing initiatives with the Fox administration, and we hope to find new areas in which our respective governments can work together to prevent these horrible tragedies. It is imperative that we determine how we can best continue working with the Mexican government to overcome this dilemma, and develop comprehensive, long-term solutions together.”
Responding to a long-standing invitation from Mexican officials, the SCAG delegation is scheduled to meet with the Secretary of Foreign Relations; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Interior; the Secretary of Communications and Transportation; and the “Border Czar” (a newly appointed position). The delegation will use a number of the meetings to bring widespread attention to the continuing problem of illegal immigrants dying as they enter the United States through California’s southeastern deserts. Working with the U.S. Border Patrol, El Centro Sector, and the Mexican Consulate, the Project is undertaking extensive efforts to stem the tide of immigration through the Southeastern deserts and eliminate tragic deaths caused by drowning and other hazards faced by illegal immigrants crossing the border.
The Project for Immigrant Lives, established in January 1999, is comprised of elected officials, law enforcement personnel, medical experts, business and religious leaders, the Mexican Consulate, and other interested citizens from the affected areas. The Project’s efforts in 1999 and 2000 helped achieve a dramatic 57 percent reduction in drowning deaths, a 38 percent reduction in heat-related casualties, and a 30 percent overall decrease in fatalities for fiscal year 1999.
Additionally, the SCAG delegation will be meeting with the Secreteria de Economia, the office responsible for NAFTA, to discuss ongoing efforts to implement the historic trade agreement reached between the United States and Mexico in 1993. There will also be preliminary efforts to promote economic development, encourage transportation infrastructure improvements, and engage public and private organizations in Mexico to promote the Southwest Compact. This is a series of cooperative economic developments along a proposed east-west trade corridor between California and Texas near the Mexican border (generally following Interstates 8 and 10) long advocated by SCAG.
“As we move forward into the 21st century, international trade will become an even more critical element of the Southern California economy, and we need to continue working closely with our colleagues in Mexico,” said Mayor Art Brown. “We see these meetings as important not only in terms of efforts to maximize economic opportunity on both sides of the border, but also to remain focused on such related issues as transportation infrastructure, truck safety and other areas of mutual interest or potential future collaboration.”
“We need to begin working now with our Mexican counterparts – as well as with the political and business leadership of Southern California and our neighboring states – to make the Southwest Compact a reality,” added Councilman Dhillon.
Any individuals or organizations interested in learning more about the Project for Immigrant Lives or participating in its upcoming activities may call Arnold San Miguel of SCAG at 909/784-1513. For more information about the Southwest Compact, please call Bruce DeVine, SCAG chief economist, at 213/236-1903.
February 8, 2001
Contact: Jeff Lustgarten at 323/466-3445