Immigration Reform

Republican Senator John McCain, a co-author of the immigration reform package that was nearly successful back in 2005, recently visited Mexico City. While expressing confidence that immigration reform could be achieved by March, he did not reveal the contents of this reform and instead focused his efforts on security issues. With President Peña Nieto, he conceded the need for the two countries to work together to have a border that was “increasingly safe and efficient.”* They expressed their desire to strengthen ties between Mexico and the state of Arizona, the state represented by Senator McCain, where measures have been found to infringe, with a certain degree of emphasis, on undocumented Mexicans.

I maintain an ambivalent position regarding this visit. On one hand, I recognize the fact that, years ago, McCain was almost pro-immigration. However, his constant references, in this visit to Mexico, to being unfamiliar with cartel leaders in Chicago, Los Angeles or Detroit seemed to spark more than simple curiosity. For starters, I am convinced that Americans know perfectly well where cartel leaders are and where they operate so-called “branches” of Mexican drug cartels. That map exists. I’ve seen it. [McCain’s] references during his visit went beyond a position already promoted by Obama, one that ensures a “secure border” as part of comprehensive immigration reform.

My position is not one of simple skepticism but, rather, of coming to terms with an unfortunate reality. A report published by Congress questioned the security strategy put forward by the government of President Peña Nieto, particularly in relation to direct combat against organized crime. Regarding the Mexican strategy of not denying violence or crime, but paying more attention to the social prevention of these phenomena, the United States reacts disapprovingly. The report also notes that, as a result of this policy, it may in fact cause tensions in the U.S.’s efforts to combat transnational criminal organizations. It goes so far as to conclude, “[a]ny attempt by the Peña Nieto government to negotiate with criminal groups or to implement the legalization of certain drugs undoubtedly raises concerns in Congress.”*

The ease with which the Mexican government has been put in a straitjacket is not surprising, and it’s even ironic, since those who have legalized marijuana use have not been the Mexican people.

I am sure that cooperation between Mexico and the United States on security and combating drug trafficking is necessary and is an act of responsibility. However, the Mexican government should be solely responsible for the establishment of the means by which such cooperation occurs, in the same way that the United States is solely responsible for the means and forms of its cooperation with Mexico.

Hence, at least in my case, some doubts arise concerning the freedom with which a comprehensive immigration reform proposed by President Obama will be allowed to operate. If it’s going to establish a quid pro quo, we will have to rethink this before accepting.

We find ourselves in a particularly important time. Obama is ready to fulfill his commitment to the Hispanic community and wants a law passed quickly to reflect that. A poll from Reuters/Ipsos reveals, however, that more than half of Americans believe that most of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the country should be deported, and the group of eight lawmakers who are presently working on this law resent the threat of the president’s Plan B. We will have to tread lightly.

*Editor’s note: the original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.