The election of Vicente Fox as president of Mexico has blown through that country like a breath of fresh air, giving hope to many within and outside Mexico's borders. It is the first change of government in 71 years, and hopes are high that, under Fox, Mexico's economy finally will be able to provide jobs for its people. The American people should wish president Fox well in such an endeavor.
At th same time, the American people should be aware of the new Mexican president's stance on the United State's immigration policy. In a nutshell, Fox wishes to influence, if not control, U.S. immigration policy. Sound incredible? It is already occurring.
During the 2000 Mexican presidential campaign, Fox promised a new economy. With increased investment and policies that help small- and medium-sized businesses, Mexico's economy would improve so that all Mexicans would have work and would not be migrating to the United States. It was a worthy goal. Since taking office, however, Fox has worked hard to continue the previous government's policy of using the United States as an escape valve so poor Mexicans can come here (often illegally) and work. In the campaign, Fox had criticized this cynical policy; as president, he is trying to expand it and is finding much success with the help of U.S. lawmakers.
Fox has even promoted the idea of open borders between the United States and Mexico. Of course, this would be a disaster for the United States because of the great disparity with Mexican salaries. Such a policy would mean an enormous drop in wages for middle- and lower-wage Americans. Fox backed off talk of an open border, but is still pursuing it by other means. What Fox wants is to continue a high level of Mexican immigration to the United States., legalization of illegal aliens. and the utilization of American citizens born in Mexico (and of Mexican descent) as a voting lobby to continue high immigration indefinitely.
President Bush, on the other hand, is not completely trustworthy on the question of immigration. For all the fine qualities for which we might admire Bush, coherence on the subject of immigration is not one of them. During the presidential campaign, he called for an increase in legal immigration but, in an unguarded moment, revealed that he did not even know how the immigration system functions! The danger is that Bush could be influenced by Fox to adopt policies that are against the wishes and interests of the American people, who should be in charge of U.S. immigration policy.
Fox has already become a major powerbroker in U.S. immigration policy. Two U.S. congressional delegations, for example, have traveled hat in hand to Fox in Mexico City to present their immigration proposals. First, Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas and a senatorial delegation met with Fox and proposed a combination illegal alien amnesty-guest worker program. Then came a delegation from the U.S. House led by Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois. This delegation was against the Gramm plan, but proposed another illegal alien amnesty. Notice that U.S. lawmakers went to present their proposals to Fox and not Bush. Who is in the driver's seat?
On Feb. 16, Bush visited with Fox on the latter's ranch in Guanajuato. A bilateral commission was established to work on the immigration issue. It's a bilateral commission to deal with the right of the United States to control its immigration policy! Are America's leaders surrendering U.S. sovereignty?
In March, Fox made his first presidential trip to the United States, but he did not visit Washington, as one might expect. This historic first visit was to California, which is the home of millions of Mexican immigrants, legal and illegal, many of whom identify more strongly with Mexico than with the United States. In visiting California, Fox called illegal aliens "heroes" and asked the California legislature to offer in-state tuition in the university system. At a rally of Mexican farm workers, Fox heard complaints of "xenophobia" (in a state that receives more immigrants than the entire country of Mexico and gives benefits to illegal aliens!). In addition, he promised to obtain for Mexicans living in California the right to vote in Mexican presidential elections; thus, encouraging the growth of double citizenship and a U.S. voting bloc supporting the interests of Mexico's government.
American citizens who are concerned about the future unity and sovereignty of their country should keep a close eye on Fox's attempts to control U.S. immigration policy. In this time of economic distress (hundreds of thousands of Americans have been laid off since 2001 began), does it make sense to import foreign workers who will work for less?
Allan Wall is a contributing columnist and lives in Mexico City.