McALLEN MONITOR

December 15, 2005

Fox stands behind migrant work force

Mexican president calls for feasible guest program, end to nativist backlash

REYNOSA — Mexican President Vicente Fox wants a migrant worker agreement with the United States in place within a year, saying the current situation is disgraceful and that it is embarrassing how the United States wants to build walls in an attempt to curb illegal immigration.

Fox visited the border town Wednesday morning to welcome paisanos, or workers returning from the United States and Canada to visit families during the holiday season.

The Mexican president also used the time to discuss infrastructure developments, technological improvements to the paisano program and economic plans during his final year in office.

He said the money that workers send back, or remit, to families from their jobs in the United States is vital to Mexico’s economy and people. In return, the United States is benefiting from Mexican workers who do the jobs U.S. citizens do not want, he said.

He addressed a crowd of invited guests and officials from both sides of the border at the Centro de Importación y Internación Temporal de Vehículos, the location where paisanos must register cars with U.S. license plates before driving into Mexico.

A permit costs about $30. Fox toured the facility and greeted several people who were in the process of registering vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts the Hispanic workforce, which includes Mexicans, will be one of the fastest growing groups in the labor pool during the next five years. In 2003, Mexico received $13.3 billion in workers’ remittances, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

"It’s difficult to explain what the North American economy would be like if it wasn’t for the enormous contribution, for the productivity, for the quality of the work of our paisanos there, in that country," Fox said.

From the week before Thanksgiving to just after New Year’s, more than 1 million people cross through the Mexican border, many through Reynosa.

Fox briefly addressed the increased kidnappings and murders in border cities linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. In Reynosa, authorities believed several murders were connected to drug trafficking. Fox said he would not tolerate criminals taking over and it was a war Mexico was going to win.

Alida Luna, 40, of McAllen waited in line to cancel her vehicle permit while Fox observed the procedure. She travels with her SUV with Texas plates monthly into Mexico and said the process has improved over the years.

"If it’s a big line, it’s time consuming," said Luna, who was surprised to see Fox. "Compared to other years, it’s gotten better. They (process) it with computers and it’s real easy."

Fox promised more customs improvements to come.

"We are here carrying out my word personally that all of our paisanos will have a secure and friendly trip to this great country," Fox said, surrounded by Reynosa Mayor Francisco Javier Garcia Cabeza de Vaca and Tamaulipas Gov. Eugenio Hernández Flores.

Mike Allen, president/CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corp., which attracts foreign investment to Reynosa, said the United States needs to recognize the importance of Mexican workers and consumers.

"(The United States) has got to focus on allowing Mexican visitors to come over here and do business," Allen said.

Fox repeatedly said he will assure North American employers do not violate human and labor rights of Mexican workers abroad.

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez said he sees Fox’s immigration concerns daily in his city. Many paisanos that pass through Reynosa likely pass through McAllen first, he said, which aids the local economy.

"Everything you’re passing by, you’re going to consume some products," Cortez said of the transient workers. "I haven’t seen anything negative."