Mexico Demands U.S. Allow More Immigration

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez People who jump to criticise how the US handles its borders should consider the formidable task this is. Since the US is the world's most important economy it engages in a high volume of trade, much more than any other country, this makes managing its major seaports a huge task. Now harbours are sen as vulnerable as their management has never involved intercepting potential terrorists threats. We ordinarily don't see how customs controls the docks because we don't pass through them, just our merchandise. The flow of freight is the primary concern as dock space is at a premium and time of the essence. The process is largely bureaucratic and involves comparing documents, verifying their conformity with the procedure and storing the goods for their subsequent movement, I read just 3 or 4% of the freight entering through Seattle is actually inspected and usually this is done after clearing customs by the exporter's client. If a shipper screwed-up and loaded some terrorist threat instead of whatever the invoices describe, it would probably pass customs unnoticed and not be revealed until the importer opened the crates. Then they'd contact their supplier overseas and complain, whether customs would be informed is another matter since the consequence would be to subject all of that supplier's shipments to exhaustive inspections. Foreign exporters don't want that sort of hastle, it will cost them lots of money and all sorts of delays to hold and store their goods for lengthy inspections, importers would turn to other sources. The control over people crossing the borders is another matter that needs to be seen within a context. The relationship with Mexico is historical and for decades involved a high degree of tolerance by the US and the development what is practically customary practice among undocumenteds. A clear example of both tolerance and custom is seen each time the Border Patrol delivers undocumenteds they've established come from all over Mexico and even other foreign countries to Mexican authorities in Tijuana when the Border Patrol knows the Mexican authorities simply take temporary custody of, to immediately release -what do you think the Border Patrol figures these repatriated undocumenteds will do next? How about another try once the dust settles?

rmnunez:

I am fully aware of how the ports operate with regard to imports as I have 28 years experience with them. I also have many years experience shipping machinery through Laredo and EL Paso


This is why I see the difference in the two systems of handling cargo and people. The cargo is well handled and the Port Security falls upon Homeland Secuirty, the FBI, and the CIA. I am mainly involved in imported steel, but these containers are all inspected, every one of them. I don't know where your figures come from, but I know from my experience that every container of steel that comes into every port I deal with, is inspected by customs.

That aside, the border needs to be secured first. I will continue to insist upon this. All people wishing to immigrate to the US need to do so legally. To encourage anything else, is immoral and defies the legal ideals of this land. When one allows this to happen, then society is worthless because the rule of law no longer prevails.

See ya tomorrow. :)

[rmnunez]

All people wishing to immigrate to the US need to do so legally. To encourage anything else, is immoral and defies the legal ideals of this land. When one allows this to happen, then society is worthless because the rule of law no longer prevails.

The "rule of law" is an ideal all societies aspire to, Mexicans as much as neighbors to the north. The concept involves a broad discussion of where law comes from and what society expects from it, equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds are involved. We are taught law has three basic sources and I mentioned one you seem to overlook-"custom and practice". Custom doesn't surpass legislation or jurisprudence, but it is a very relevant notion. Most of the US where Mexican undocumenteds are most in abundance customarily has been populated by Mexicans, for generations. In fact the place used to be Mexico. It was Spanish before then. Custom has greater value for its antiquity. Since WW2 the US government has affirmatively enacted laws to facilitate undocumented access to its labor market. Whole industries like hotels, agriculture, construction, maintenance and others, have been led to expect they can draw on cheap, docile and submissive illicit laborers. They've been led to expect this because the mayor's and chambers of commerce, their leading counterparts, Governors, Congressmen and Senators, and plenty of presidents -have reiteratedly assured them the "illegal" aliens Congress now seeks to criminalize, will be readily available.

Evidence of custom:

This is Lang Johnston with an update on today's immigration law news. As reported earlier in JURIST's Paper Chase, immigration officers today arrested hundreds of immigrants who had been working illegally at Wal-Mart stores. According to a Reuters story, law enforcement personnel believe that some Wal-Mart executives had knowledge of the immigration violations and acted with "reckless disregard" toward immigration laws. Those executives have been subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury, and federal officials also gathered evidence by executing a search warrant at Wal-Mart's Bentonville, Arkansas headquarters. Penalties for knowingly using illegal labor can include fines of up to $10,000 per worker as well as potential criminal charges. The immigrants will go before immigration judges and may face deportation. http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchas..._indexarch.htm

The "immigrants" will all be deported, if Congress passes its bill to criminalize undocumented entry they will be subject to whatever incarceration is imposed first, they will also be "branded" as henceforth inadmissible, even if they did attempt to comply with the law and ever sought a visa. The US multinational is fined $10 thousand per worker and the worker is incarcerated and then deported as undesirable. Would this be seen by united statians as a fine reflection of the equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds presumably found in the rule of law?

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: rmnunez The control over people crossing the borders is another matter that needs to be seen within a context. The relationship with Mexico is historical and for decades involved a high degree of tolerance by the US and the development what is practically customary practice among undocumenteds. A clear example of both tolerance and custom is seen each time the Border Patrol delivers undocumenteds they've established come from all over Mexico and even other foreign countries to Mexican authorities in Tijuana when the Border Patrol knows the Mexican authorities simply take temporary custody of, to immediately release -what do you think the Border Patrol figures these repatriated undocumenteds will do next? How about another try once the dust settles?

This is precisely the biggest problem with illegal immigration, our politicians tolerate it. The majority of U.S. citizens have long since lost their tolerance of paying for social services for those not making a living wage, in effect, subsidizing their employers. An effective fix is really very simple - initiate some real penalties for those that hire illegals.

[rmnunez]

The majority of U.S. citizens have long since lost their tolerance of paying for social services for those not making a living wage, in effect, subsidizing their employers.

It wouldn't seem that way from what Hillary says:

Speaking at a rally of Irish immigrants, Clinton criticized a bill the House passed in December that would impose harsher penalties for undocumented workers. "Don't turn your backs on what made this country great," she said, calling the measure "a rebuke to what America stands for." The House measure would make unlawful presence in the United States, which is currently a civil offense, a felony. Clinton said it would be "an unworkable scheme to try to deport 11 million people, which you have to have a police state to try to do." http://www.boston.com/news/nation/wa...igration_bill/

But we're talking about differnt things, you refer to a lack of tolerance for welfare addicts, Clinton of embracing what made the US great -its immigrants. Most people in the US don't see the two as one and the same, like you apparently do. Undocumenteds, due to their condition, are inherently ineligible for much public assistance. Their volume and poverty necessitates they will draw upon the social infrastructure paid for with those ubiquitous taxes lawful citizens bear with such discomfort, but the undocumenteds are usually nowhere near any governmental office, won't use the post office if they can help it.

An effective fix is really very simple - initiate some real penalties for those that hire illegals.

More than $10 thousand per worker?

How do you feel about incarcerating undocumenteds?

How do you feel about shooting at Texan cattle ranchers and Californian agriculturalists making the rounds across the border looking for workers?

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: rmnunez Would this be seen by united statians as a fine reflection of the equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds presumably found in the rule of law?

Just more hypocrisy. You want us to be bound by the "fine reflection of the equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds presumably found in the rule of law", and at the same time you want to ignore the fact that by coming north, illegals have broken the law.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: rmnunez More than $10 thousand per worker?

"Penalties for knowingly using illegal labor can include fines of up to $10,000 per worker as well as potential criminal charges."

Can you quote an instance where this has actually been done? I can't find any.

Quote by: rmnunez How do you feel about incarcerating undocumenteds?

We wouldn't have to incarcerate many of them. If they couldn't get jobs or have access to social programs here, they'd stop coming.

Quote by: rmnunez How do you feel about shooting at Texan cattle ranchers and Californian agriculturalists making the rounds across the border looking for workers?

Sounds like a good plan to me.

[rmnunez]

We wouldn't have to incarcerate many of them. If they couldn't get jobs or have access to social programs here, they'd stop coming.

The undocumenteds hired by Wal Mart are in deportation proceedings if they haven't already been deported (they hold them for a bit while they accumulate enough to fill the bus). If Congress passes the legislation Hillary decries as calling for a "police state" to enforce, similarly situated undoumenteds now employed all across the US in hotels, golf-courses, supermarkets and maybe in your own office's maintenance, will be felons and as such subject to incarceration for at least a year. Then they get deported.

Zee, the hypocrisy, if any, in my references to things like equity and justice was merely in reply to brien's mention of how united statians cherish the rule of law (at 141 just above).

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez The "rule of law" is an ideal all societies aspire to, Mexicans as much as neighbors to the north. The concept involves a broad discussion of where law comes from and what society expects from it, equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds are involved. We are taught law has three basic sources and I mentioned one you seem to overlook-"custom and practice". Custom doesn't surpass legislation or jurisprudence, but it is a very relevant notion. Most of the US where Mexican undocumenteds are most in abundance customarily has been populated by Mexicans, for generations. In fact the place used to be Mexico. It was Spanish before then. Custom has greater value for its antiquity. Since WW2 the US government has affirmatively enacted laws to facilitate undocumented access to its labor market. Whole industries like hotels, agriculture, construction, maintenance and others, have been led to expect they can draw on cheap, docile and submissive illicit laborers. They've been led to expect this because the mayor's and chambers of commerce, their leading counterparts, Governors, Congressmen and Senators, and plenty of presidents -have reiteratedly assured them the "illegal" aliens Congress now seeks to criminalize, will be readily available. Evidence of custom: The "immigrants" will all be deported, if Congress passes its bill to criminalize undocumented entry they will be subject to whatever incarceration is imposed first, they will also be "branded" as henceforth inadmissible, even if they did attempt to comply with the law and ever sought a visa. The US multinational is fined $10 thousand per worker and the worker is incarcerated and then deported as undesirable. Would this be seen by united statians as a fine reflection of the equity, justice, fairness, safety, certitude, predictability and relateds presumably found in the rule of law?

I have no argument with your conclusion regarding the American government actions since WWII, I would even extend it back to when Mexico ceeded the territories that eventually mapped Texas NM, AZ and California within the US. But this is over. There is no going back. We can only reform the situation by dealing with it in the future, something which isn't happening as I write this.

The undocumented workers that are already here in the US can't, in all practicality, be deported. It is a logistical impossibility. We can't fill our overcrowded jails and we can't fine people who don't have the resources to pay those fines. So for Congress to pass such foolish laws would only make the situation more ridiculous than it is already.

The bottom line. The border needs to be sealed and all immigration needs to be directed through legal ports of entry. This situation will be highlighted in the next election particularly when GWB gets his head handed to him over the Dubai deal. This issue should spill over into the border situation and every poltician should be called to task for their rabid vigilance with regard to the port deal, and force them to be consistent with regard to the border security. There is absolutely no difference between the two issues.

Polticians turned the Dubai deal into a political issue that played upon the fears of America, and the only reason they won't do it with regard to the border issue is because they are hypocrites. Every last politician that voted against the Dubai deal should be held accountable to be consistent with regard to the border issue. Afterall, they were the ones who called into question the security of the US through "leaky" ports. Why wouldn't they extend the same logic to a "leaky" and unprotected border? There is one reason, and only one reason, the politics of hyporictes. This issue is even more serious than the Dubai deal.

The time is now for both countries to work a fair and reasonable solution to this problem. I say:

1) Seal ALL borders and channel immigration through legal ports of entry.
2) Extend immunity to all present undocumented workers.
3) Reform and streamline the process for legal entry into the US.
4) Enforce all labor laws on the books.
5) Increase fines and penalties for hiring and employing ALL undocumented workers.

The rule of law in the USA is not what American society aspires to as if it were some pie in the sky. The rule of law is what guides American society in which citizens must interact with each other. The rule of law can't apply to some and not to others. Either there is a law or there is not a law. It is when a law is disobeyed by the majority of the people whom it affects that it will become null and void in a de facto sense. The Prohibiton Amendment proved this. Current drug laws are also bearing this out. When law enforcement can no longer enforce a law, then it is time to restructure the law.

This is the case with our current immmigration laws. And unless the following steps I have outlined above are implemented, the current cahotic situation with regard to undocumented workers, a porous unprotected border, and a immigration process that serves to few over a protracted period of time, will continue until a disaster on the scale of 911 will inevitiably occur once again in the US. It is time for the hypocritical politicians in Congress to unite and solve this problem in the same manner with which they approached the Dubai port proposal. We will see in the upcoming election who are the puppets and just who are the puppeteers. I, for one can't wait.

[Osborn F Enready]

I agree Brien. Well said.

[rmnunez]

Sealing the border at the cost of legalizing an estimated 11 million undocumenteds, plus the wasteful expense, negative environmental impact and deplorable image this would project, seems wrongheaded. It would be cheaper to incentivize compliance with feasible procedures, enhance accesibility, diminish the cost and reduce the delays in processing temporary non-immigrant worker visas. One of the proposals at the interparliamentary summit was to fashion a temporary residence status for 3 years and make only undocumenteds now there eligible, coupled with enhanced border controls. One legislator was advocating using different sorts of sensors and train the Border Patrol folks to move in and pick up monitored crossings instead of this prefabricated concrete barrier. Criminalizing undocumented presence is not the approach I'd take, but it could discourage unlawful entry.

[SaintLucifer]

Quote by: lili462 They don't have the right to demand anything, they aren't even apart of this country. Mexico is like an annoying neighbor that knocks on our door constantly asking to borrow something. Just because they are our neighbor doesn't mean they can just demand stuff from us...Does Canada make demands for us? Do we have loads of Canadians crossing the boarder everyday illegally? Working illegally in the United States? If we do, then i never heard of it. Instead of relying on the States so much, mexico needs to do something themselves about there countrys economy, apparently that is the problem or else they wouldn't be coming here and looking for work. Unless some people have failed to notice, we have plenty of real american citizens that need jobs. It makes me sick that illegal aliens have jobs in our country and some of our real citizens go without....What a ****ed up system eh?

For those interested in how my country Canada deals with this see below:
Canada, Mexico Farm Labor

Canada. Canada admits seasonal farm workers from the Caribbean (since 1966) and Mexico (since 1974) to Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. In 2000, Mexicans were more than half of the 16,705 workers admitted; the other guest workers were from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados and six other eastern Caribbean islands. At least 60 percent of the 9,200 Mexicans hired to work temporary jobs on Canadian farms in 2000 had worked in Canada before. In 1999, Canada issued farm work permits to 7,574 Mexicans, up from 4,886 in 1995.

Mexico considers the Mexico-Canada program a model. Carlos Obrador, Mexican vice-consul in Toronto, says: "It is a real model for how migration can work in an ordered and legal way." According to the Mexican government, 80 percent of Mexican workers are repeat hires, and very few stay on in Canada illegally.

One reason why the Mexican guest workers return may involve the selection criteria. Workers have to travel at least twice to Mexico City at their own expense for medical exams and documentation. Qualifying men are between 22 and 45, married or living with a woman, and have children; workers must have at least a third-grade education, but not more than an elementary school education. Women who want to be guest workers must be 23 to 40, should be heads of households (single, widowed, divorced or married); if they have children, the children must be older than two.

The Foreign Agricultural Resources Management Services (FARMS), the non-profit group that administers the program in Ontario, says the workers earn C$90 million a year, or $C6,200 for up to 60 hours a week- hourly wages are C$7 to C$14. Workers have Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance payments deducted; they are eventually entitled to collect CPP payments, but not EI payments. During their stay they are covered by OHIP and Workers' Compensation.

Many Mexican workers leave Canada before they get their last paychecks, or have tax refund checks sent to addresses in Canada. Since 1982, small checks owed to Mexican guest workers for employment in Canada were sent to Mexico's Foreign Ministry. For example, 1,900 checks worth a total $600,000 were received in 2000. The Foreign Ministry did not contact the workers to whom the money was owed, prompting stories in June 2001 about problems in the Canada-Mexico guest worker program. Since 1974, Canada has granted at least 70,000 visas to Mexican farm workers.

Unions. On May 20, 2001, about 100 Mexican migrant farm workers held a protest over what they alleged were substandard working and housing conditions in Leamington, a western Ontario town. The workers pick tomatoes in greenhouses, and they complained about being forced to spray pesticides without safety protection; living in overcrowded buildings with faulty sewage; working long hours with no overtime pay and other issues. The workers said they live under the threat of being returned to Mexico if they complain.

The United Farm Workers visited Leamington, which has about 3,000 Mexican guest workers, on April 29, 2001 after a strike by Mexican migrants. About two dozen workers returned to Mexico immediately after the strike; Ontario law bars agricultural workers from joining or forming unions.

There are about 4,500 foreign farm workers in the Simcoe area of Toronto; they often go into the city of Simcoe on Friday nights to remit earnings to their families and to shop. On weekends, vendors selling electronics and other goods visit the workers in their on-farm camps.

Thank You,
SaintLucifer
The Dark Saint

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez Sealing the border at the cost of legalizing an estimated 11 million undocumenteds, plus the wasteful expense, negative environmental impact and deplorable image this would project, seems wrongheaded. It would be cheaper to incentivize compliance with feasible procedures, enhance accesibility, diminish the cost and reduce the delays in processing temporary non-immigrant worker visas. One of the proposals at the interparliamentary summit was to fashion a temporary residence status for 3 years and make only undocumenteds now there eligible, coupled with enhanced border controls. One legislator was advocating using different sorts of sensors and train the Border Patrol folks to move in and pick up monitored crossings instead of this prefabricated concrete barrier. Criminalizing undocumented presence is not the approach I'd take, but it could discourage unlawful entry.

Rmnunez:

I don't know about the enviornmental impact of sealing the border. It seems to me if the immigrants are forced to enter the US at legitimate checkpoints, the enviornmental impact would be favorable because people and their garbage would be concentrated in one area of several check points. I suppose you are imagining a giant electricfied fence etc, but there must be more effective ways than doing this. But whatever it takes.

I am in agreement that both countries should work to make the legal port of entry the preferable way to gain access to the US. This, of course, does not automatically relax the border to status quo because as this Port deal has highlighted, the National Security of the US is at stake. I say, not really, but since the politicains have made it so, they need to apply the ideology across the board. What needs to be done along the border to secure it goes well beyond the undocumented worker situation and spills over into the National Security arena now. The undocumented worker situation has to take a back seat to the larger issue of border security. If the US politicians don't realize this, then their transparent hypocritical attitudes should come back to knock them off their platforms of political doubespeak.

As I have written before, I am willing to agree to a complete amnesty for all illegals in the country now. But it has to be linked to a willful compliance of all undocumented workers to immigrate legally through legitimate ports of entry. Large ugly concrete wall don't need to be constructed. There are other ways to discourage illegal entry along the border.

I certainly don't believe in making criminals out of ordinary citizen of any country. And certainly not for the "crime" of trying to enter the US in order to make a better life for themselves and their families.

But the time is long overdue for border control to be just that, border control.

[rmnunez]

brien, appealing as legalization for undocumenteds in the US now is, there is historical evidence this alone doesn't resolve anything. Legalized undocumenteds are helped, they gain access to a larger labor market and move up -other undocumenteds move in to the vacancies left. If the border were also effectively sealed, who would take those jobs the legalized left? Is the idea to have legalized undocumenteds work at illicit wages?

Police estimate 300 thousand participated in a rally in Chicago against the proposed immigration reform bill now being discussed in the US legislature: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/lo...069125525.html

[rmnunez]

US Chamber of Commerce says the US needs more undocumented Mexican labour:

According to the US Chamber of Comerse, imigration reform in discussion by the US legislature, is vital to regional development. Its director in Mexico advocated sensisitivity to immigration and US labor market demands. “In favour of comprehensive immigration reform, to us comprehensive immigration policy takes into account the urgent need for Mexican and undocumented labour by US businesses, as well as the rights and obligations they may have in the US”, said Larry David Rubin, from the US Chamber of Commerce in Mexico. Businessmen engaged in this issue will not support the Republican majority in the legislature, according to Mr. Rubin. The most viable proposal is to establish the temporary-worker programme endorsed by Sens. Kennedy and McCain, he found. “What we are looking for is that the 11 million Mexicans who already live here receive legal status as residents, that they may have rights like other citizens since they contribute to the US economy already”, Mr. Rubin affirmed. Currently 92% of the undocumented have jobs in the US and in the next 10 years over 77 million US citizens will retire, resulting in a very atractive market for immigrant workers. If current immigration trends hold, for Mexico the future concern will involve a loss of productivity, while in the US it will involve recognizing the civil rights of migrant workers. http://oncetv-ipn.net/noticias/index...-14&numnota=81

And the remitances keep growing:

Remitances from Mexicans in January came to $582 million, a 27% rise over the same period last year, according to Mexico’s Central Bank. http://oncetv-ipn.net/noticias/index...-14&numnota=28

(translated)

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: rmnunez US Chamber of Commerce says the US needs more undocumented Mexican labour:

Gee, what a surprise. The U.S. chamber of commerce, an organization of business interests says we need more cheap labor. Who woulda thunk it??

By your own link, "Currently 92% of the undocumented have jobs in the US", which implies an unemployment figure of 8%. What's bush's current unemployment figures for U.S. workers?? Something around 6% isn't it? Then if illegals have a higher unemployment rate than U.S. citizens, why do we need more of them??

[rmnunez]

The 92% employment rate among undocumenteds in the US confused me too, I don't know whether this means 8% are unemployed. I figure the US needs more immigrants because 77 million united statians will retire within the next 10 years and they haven't bred enough locals to replace them, that and the fact the US economy is growing, with particular emphasis in the lower paid service-sector jobs.

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez brien, appealing as legalization for undocumenteds in the US now is, there is historical evidence this alone doesn't resolve anything. Legalized undocumenteds are helped, they gain access to a larger labor market and move up -other undocumenteds move in to the vacancies left. If the border were also effectively sealed, who would take those jobs the legalized left? Is the idea to have legalized undocumenteds work at illicit wages? Police estimate 300 thousand participated in a rally in Chicago against the proposed immigration reform bill now being discussed in the US legislature: http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/lo...069125525.html

\

I understand your reasoning but when the flow of undocumented labor ceases, the wages will rise when there is no one to take the jobs that have been vacated by previous undocumented workers. When the law of supply and demand kicks in, then the labor problem will be solved.

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez People who jump to criticise how the US handles its borders should consider the formidable task this is. Since the US is the world's most important economy it engages in a high volume of trade, much more than any other country, this makes managing its major seaports a huge task. Now harbours are sen as vulnerable as their management has never involved intercepting potential terrorists threats. We ordinarily don't see how customs controls the docks because we don't pass through them, just our merchandise. The flow of freight is the primary concern as dock space is at a premium and time of the essence. The process is largely bureaucratic and involves comparing documents, verifying their conformity with the procedure and storing the goods for their subsequent movement, I read just 3 or 4% of the freight entering through Seattle is actually inspected and usually this is done after clearing customs by the exporter's client. If a shipper screwed-up and loaded some terrorist threat instead of whatever the invoices describe, it would probably pass customs unnoticed and not be revealed until the importer opened the crates. Then they'd contact their supplier overseas and complain, whether customs would be informed is another matter since the consequence would be to subject all of that supplier's shipments to exhaustive inspections. Foreign exporters don't want that sort of hastle, it will cost them lots of money and all sorts of delays to hold and store their goods for lengthy inspections, importers would turn to other sources. The control over people crossing the borders is another matter that needs to be seen within a context. The relationship with Mexico is historical and for decades involved a high degree of tolerance by the US and the development what is practically customary practice among undocumenteds. A clear example of both tolerance and custom is seen each time the Border Patrol delivers undocumenteds they've established come from all over Mexico and even other foreign countries to Mexican authorities in Tijuana when the Border Patrol knows the Mexican authorities simply take temporary custody of, to immediately release -what do you think the Border Patrol figures these repatriated undocumenteds will do next? How about another try once the dust settles?

I understand the formidble task you mention because I am involved in imported freight everyday at many of our piers around the country. The surveillence is much more complicated than you make it out to be because the average citizen doesn't know just how much the US government is involved in overseas participation in what is loaded into the containers destined for US ports. There are covert operations conducted by US agencies that attempt to ascertain that the BOL of every shipment is accurate for its contents. Vessels are also boarded and inspected by the USCG while made to wait off the coast before the harbor pilot is dispatched to guide the vessel into port. This all aside the management of border crossings on land is an easier task as long as the borders are secure.

Once again, the sooner the borders are sealed and immigrants are forced to enter into the US through legal "ports of entry", the sooner the problem of undocumented workers will be solved. The labor supply will be accurately reflected when undocumented workers are legally processed by the US and Mexican government. If this results in a labor shortage in the southwest, or anywhere else in the country, then the cost of labor will rise to meet the demand of the employers. It is then that the law of supply and demand will take over and there won't be the undocumented worker's lower wage scale to hamper the important supply and demand influence in the economy. As it stands now, the law of supply and demand is undermined when undocumented workers are allowed to work employers all too willing to subvert the law and benefit from illegal labor.

[rmnunez]

Maybe Mexico should follow China's example:

The US has accused China of refusing to take back almost 40,000 Chinese immigrants who have been denied permission to stay in the country. The US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff described the situation as "intolerable". He said although China had taken back 800 citizens last year, that only made a small dent in the numbers. Mr Chertoff said there was a backlog of thousands of illegal Chinese immigrants in the United States. Speaking to the Associated Press news agency, Mr Chertoff said illegal immigrants were clogging detention centres at federal expense.

[brien]

Quote by: rmnunez Maybe Mexico should follow China's example:

Another excellent example to illustrate why the borders should be sealed to only allow legal immigrants to enter the country through tightly controlled legal ports of entry. Thanks.