Country Briefing: U.S.- Mexico
Border Disorder
By: James F. Mattil
ABOUT-CONTACT
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"It should be legal to kill illegals," said Carl, a 69-year old retired Special Forces veteran who fought in Vietnam and now lives out West. "Just shoot 'em on sight. That's my immigration policy recommendation. You break into my country, you die." – David Holthouse, Arizona Showdown, Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=557
The border between the United States and Mexico stretches for 1951 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. The US border states (east to west) include: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The Mexican border states (east to west) include: Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihauhua, Sonora and Baja California. The estimated population of the American and Mexican border states is over 12 million.
Over 600,000 migrants are apprehended annually as they attempt to illegally cross the Mexican-American border. Since 1998, over 4,000 migrants have died trying. An estimated 8-10 million illegal immigrants live and work in the US, many having crossed the southwestern border, while others have over stayed legal visas.
It's common to hear that, "the world changed after 9/11." In fact, the world didn't change, American attitudes have. Immigration remains a controversial issue, drug smuggling continues, human trafficking has been increasing, US businesses need more low-skilled labor, and the threat of foreign terrorism remains as viable as it was before 2001.
The debates have intensified as the government leaders have failed to introduce practical solutions, creating greater polarization of viewpoints and fanning the flames of animosity. A closer review of the clashing perspectives reveals disturbing racist themes that has attracted white supremacists who warn of the threat of multiculturalism as a threat the the American Way.
Meanwhile, authorities have recently unearthed 10 elaborate tunnels, used to smuggle drugs and people, or even weapons across the border. Incredibly, there is no US law prohibiting the tunnels.
With the US Border Patrol lacking adequate resources to protect the US border, unregulated, vigilante militias have responded by sending volunteers to help guard the borders. Critics fear that militias are escalating an already volatile situation.
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U.S.Border Patrol with Army Stryker vehicle in support
Open Source Inetlligence
History
The southwestern US and northern Mexico were first settled by Spanish colonists, who dominated the indigenous Mayan people. Mexico gained independence from Spain in the 1820’s and encouraged American settlers to migrate into the region. Mexico was concerned about the reluctance of Americans to assimilate into the Mexican culture and passed laws to stop immigration. In 1836, Texans rebelled, defended the Alamo, declared independence from Mexico, and established the Republic of Texas.
Texas was annexed to the US in 1845, which sparked war with Mexico. During the Mexican-American War (1846-1846), the US prevailed and claimed the territory north of the Rio Grande in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This included most of what later became California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Disputes continued over the location of the Mexican-American border and in 1853 the US completed the Gadsden Purchase, which established the present-day border. As a result, Mexicans living in the region became Americans. Ironically, one of today’s concerns is about the reluctance of Mexicans to assimilate into American culture.
With the industrialization of America, economic disparity between the countries increased and as the land of opportunity, America has continued to attract legal and illegal immigration from Mexico and, more recently, form other areas of Latin America.
Illegal Immigration
Immigration fluctuates with economic conditions, increasing with US prosperity and decreasing during economic downturns. During wartime, The US has actively encouraged Mexican immigration and operated guest worker programs. Each wave of immigrants, wherever their origin, has faced the challenge to assimilate, the struggle for social acceptance and obstacles to prosperity.
During the 1990’s economic boom legal and illegal immigration increased with limited controversy, but the economic downturn in 2000 sparked concerns about the impact of immigrants on the job market and burdens on social services – education, medical services and the criminal justice system. – imposing a tax burden on US border states.
After 9/11, “restrictionists” seized on immigration reform as a pivotal issue that would appeal to their political base with potential to attract broader support. While highlighting illegal immigration, restrictionists object to all immigration and propose a ban on immigration. They also call for deploying the National Guard to protect the borders.
To dramatize the issue, restrictionists appeal to people’s insecurity and fear. They argue that porous borders provide easy access for so-called “Islamofascists”, bent on spreading terrorism and portray multiculturalism, as a fundamental threat to American society, ignoring that America is a nation of immigrants.
Between October 2003 and April 2004, the US Border Patrol detained over 600,000 people as they tried to cross the border illegally. The government is unsure how many illegals successfully enter the US in any period, but government reports suggest that 8-10 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the US. Restrictionists claim the number could be as high as 20-30 million. (This would be greater than the combined total population of 11 western states.) Between 1998 and 2004, an estimated 1,954 people have died in attempts to cross the US-Mexico border.
Humanitarian critics of US border policy argue that barriers erected near cities have forced illegals into ever more dangerous desert areas and have created demand for human traffickers, called “coyotes,” who smuggle immigrants for a fee. These coyotes are often involved in drug trafficking and are themselves responsible for many of the deaths. Many migrants die from heat stroke, dehydration and hypothermia, while others perish in car and truck accidents as coyotes attempt to smuggle them to holding areas in southwestern cities.
The primary motive for illegal immigration is economic. American businesses need more unskilled, low-pay workers and willingly hire “undocumented workers,” even though it is illegal. An estimated 45% of all agricultural laborers in the United States are illegal aliens. US immigration policy limits the number of immigrants at about 140,000 annually, but limits such approvals to highly skilled professionals – engineers, doctors and scientists, etc. Hence, some businesses suggest expanding quotas to permit more legal, unskilled immigration and others favor granting amnesty to undocumented workers already in country.
Restrictionsts counter that such a policy would reward illegal immigration and encourage even higher levels. The US Border Patrol is caught in the middle with inadequate resources to secure the Mexican-American border. Humanitarian organizations oppose the restrictionist’s calls for mass round-ups and removals of illegals, which they fear could become a witch-hunt, provoke internal turmoil and sully America’s reputation.
As a result of the political conflicts surrounding the issue, politicians have failed to enact viable solutions and the issue has become increasingly combative. In 2005, volunteer militias began gathering to help protect the borders. "It should be legal to kill illegals," said Carl, a 69-year old retired Special Forces veteran who fought in Vietnam and now lives out West. "Just shoot 'em on sight. That's my immigration policy recommendation. You break into my country, you die." (Southern Poverty Law Center)
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=557
“Throughout our history as a nation of immigrants, the influx of newcomers who are different from previous waves of immigrants has spawned opposition from those who are fearful of and resistant to change. At times, opposition to new immigrants has become violent. Today, groups opposed to immigration rationalize their opposition by feigning concern for various other causes—the environment, national security, public safety, or protection of American workers.” (National Immigration Forum)
http://www.immigrationforum.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=85
For the Mexican government, emigrants are a major source of national income. Emigrants working in the US send billions of dollars (remittances) home to their families. As a result, Mexico is reluctant to intervene and some claim they all but encourage immigration. Meanwhile, widespread corruption among Mexican police often facilitates both drug trafficking and human trafficking.
The Border Barriers
There is no continuous barrier along the 1951-mile border. The US has built walls to stem illegal crossings in high-traffic areas near larger cities. The barriers were built as part of three border control operations: Operation Gatekeeper, Hold-the-Line, and Operation Safeguard. These operations focused on El Paso, San Diego and Tucson.In addition to barriers the US Border Patrol has deployed sophisticated aerial and electronic surveillance measures and increased the number of officers on patrol.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted in late 2005 to construct additional fences along parts of the border. Senate passage is needed. Proponents hope that the barrier will stem the flood of illegal immigration into the United States.Previous fence construction has accomplished little more than redirect migration into the most desolate and deadly border regions, resulting in higher death rates and higher policing costs. Prior to building barriers migrants would work in the US and return to their homes in Mexico, but the barriers prevent this. Instead, they remain in the U.S. for longer periods of time and eventually bring their families with them.
As the US Congress reacts to border security breaches with plans to build fences, smugglers have been tunneling beneath the US-Mexico border. Authorities recently unearthed an elaborate tunnel connecting Tijuana, Mexico to Otay Mesa, California. The lighted and ventilated tunnel stretches over 2400 feet, and is suitable to transport large quantities of drugs, people, or weapons. Reportedly, such tunnels are not illegal because there are, as yet, no US laws prohibiting them.
The level of sophistication and cost to build such tunnels indicates that they are the product of large drug cartels, whose motives are solely monetary. Clearly, there is potential for terrorist groups like al-Qeada to work with cartels to bring weapons or WMDs into the US. Authorities are using drills and ground-penetrating radar to locate additional tunnels with little success as the technology is ineffective.
Missing the Point
Although organized drug runners, human traffickers and possible terrorists represent the most serious threats , much of the border debate focuses on the illegal immigrants, many of whom are themselves victims. Many critics who fault the federal government for faling to protect the borders are loath to pay higher taxes for higher security. Much of the rhetoric goes to demonizing illegal immigrants rather than criminal cartels and is orchestrated by politicians seeking to exploit fears of multiculturalism, under the guise of homeland security.
Resources and Additional Information
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPL) [L]
http://www.splcenter.org
The Puppeteer
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=93
The Nativists
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=576
Arizona Showdown
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=557
Playing Rough
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=571
National Immigration Forum [L]
http://www.immigrationforum.org
GAO Report - Border Security
http://www.globalsecurity.org/security/library/report/gao/d04590.pdf#search='gao%20border%20security'
Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus (CIRC) [R] http://www.mnforsustain.org/immg_agenda_congressional_immigration_reform_caucus.htm
NumbersUSA [R]
http://www.numbersusa.org
Fair Immigration Reform Movement [R]
http://www.fairimmigration.org
Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-C)) Website [R]
http://tancredo.house.gov
Team America Political Action Committee [R]
http://www.teamamericapac.org
Right Wing News: Tom Tancredo Interview [R] http://www.rightwingnews.com/interviews/tancredo.php
Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) Website [R]
http://hayworth.house.gov
Hayworth Legislation [R]
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:H.R.3938:
Kennedy-McCain [L]
Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act, S.1033
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c109:S.1033:
The Minuteman Project [R]
http://www.minutemanproject.com
Minuteman Links Page [R] Large Collection of Restrictionist Links
http://www.minutemenproject.co/info/links.html
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Restrictionist Watch Newsletters http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=10044
What's FAIR got to do with it?
By Tom Barry, Right Web, January 19, 2006
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/rw/3053
Public Eye
http://www.publiceye.org/
Far From Fringe: Minutemen Mobilizes Whites Left Behind by Globalization
By Roberto Lovato,, The Public Eye Magazine [online]http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v19n3/lovato_fringe.html
Arizona Indymedia
http://arizona.indymedia.org/features/Border_issues/
Derechos Humanos
www.derechoshumanosaz.net
Frontera de Cristo
pcusa.org/border/Frontrea.htm
BorderLinks
borderlinks.org
Enlaces America
enlacesamerica.org
No More Deaths
nomoredeaths.org
Humane Borders
humaneborders.org
Indymedia
Chiapas
chiapas.mediosindependientes.org
Sonoran
Samaritans
pcusa.org/border/sonoran_samaritans.htm
La Jornada Sin Fronteras
jornadasinfronteras.com
Border
Action Network
borderaction.org
Free Trade of the Americas newswire
ftaaimc.org
Southwest
Network for Environmental and Economic Justice
sneej.org
The Samaritans
samaritanpatrol.org
Just Coffee
justcoffee.org
Migration Policy Institute
migrationpolicy.org
La Resistencia
laresistenica.org
Global Issues
globalissues.org
Border Matters
bordermatters.net