Do as the Mexicans do

by Bill Meadows - June 23, 2005

Mexico does at least one thing right.  It clamps down on immigrants.        

I lived near Guadalajara from 2001 through 2003, where I learned about Mexico's immigration laws and practices.  Based on first hand experience, I suggest we treat aliens in the U.S. like Mexicans treat visitors in Mexico.

Mexico made it plain that I was an outsider.  I had to obtain a yearly residency permit, at a cost of about $150 (U.S. dollars), and I had to have an outside income or the cash equivalent of about $1,200 per month.  Poor Americans aren't welcome in Mexico.  I had to produce bank statements and a passport for proof of financial eligibility and valid identification.  (90-day tourist visas are easy to get, but full time residency is a different matter.)

I had to produce my permit at airports and highway check points.  Airport inspectors were local police, while highway checks were done by state police and federal troops speaking of which, police and soldiers are the law, and only a fool would expect leniency from a judge if the unfortunate lawbreaker had to appear in a Mexican court.  No sympathy, much less a break, is awarded just for being an American. 

Do you find this hard to believe?  Well, read on.  

Upon entering Mexico, I had to relinquish my computer at the border, so I would have to buy one in their country.  Also, I couldn't have gotten work without another permit, which proved to be a fruitless thought because they don't want foreigners taking jobs from Mexicans.  There is more I could say about Mexican rules and regulations, but I think you get the picture.

So I say, "Do as the Mexicans do."  Just enforce our existing immigration laws.  I've reviewed our laws against being in the U.S. illegally, and hiring illegal aliens.  I must confess I had to read the laws twice because I couldn't believe what I was reading.  Look up immigration laws on the Internet and see for yourself.  It seems simple enforcement of existing laws would solve the illegal alien invasion and its vast ramifications.

What really galls me is the arrogance and ingratitude that makes these foreigners think they are entitled to free medical care, social services, and other benefits not available to all Americans.  Not only unfair, this is not even sane.

I and millions of other Americans are outraged by the double standard which favors the invaders.  Enough is enough.  Why don't we simply do as the Mexicans do and protect ourselves, not them?