IMPROVING U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS: What Are the Questions?

IMPROVING U.S.-MEXICO RELATIONS: What Are the Questions?

By Mark Boyer

mexico usa

 

I have been corresponding with a North America publication that requested ideas for an article on ways for improving U.S.-Mexico relations. Rather than provide solutions or pathways, I submitted questions. I think we have sometimes become too quick to jump to answers, and are not always taking the time needed to more deeply understand and reflect on the issues. As a U.S. expat living in Mexico, U.S.-Mexico relations are very important to me. You will see that sometimes my questions are pointed and sometimes my questions are more open-ended, which is both expressive of a point of view and also genuine inquiry. Here are my questions, and I would be curious to know your questions.

1) When only 60% of illegal immigrants in the U.S. are Mexican, why are Mexicans being targeted when there are also large numbers of Asian, Canadian, European, Irish, and other illegal immigrants?

2) How does the U.S. expect to build relationships with Mexico when the U.S. President uses bullying rhetoric toward Mexico and Mexicans, expects for Mexico to pay for a wall on U.S. land, proposes tariffs on goods produced in Mexico, mockingly (?) threatens to send American troops into Mexico, encourages other countries to cease production in Mexico, etc.? 

3) Why is there no recognition for Mexico’s accomplishments in preventing approximately 175,000 illegal immigrants each year from Central and South America from crossing through Mexico into the U.S.?

4) Why is there no acknowledgement that illegal immigration from Mexico peaked in 2007, and has been declining ever since? Likewise, why is there no acknowledgement that more illegal immigrants are exiting the U.S. than entering?

5) What is the total U.S. taxpayer investment in border defense and construction and maintenance of a wall as it relates to factual return on investment for U.S. safety?

6) Why does the U.S. assume they can drop criminal illegal immigrants from other parts of Central and South America into Mexico?

7) What will be the social and economic impact of illegal immigrant deportation from the U.S., and how is this considered a net gain?

8) Why was Fair Immigration Reform never seriously considered by the U.S.? 

9) How can Canada and Mexico create a stronger partnership to enhance NAFTA with the U.S.?

10) How can propaganda from the U.S. about Mexico, including from U.S. government, be better monitored and more responsible?

11) How can the masses of legal and illegal guns and military shipments from the U.S. into Mexico be better controlled by the U.S.?

12) When illegal drugs are an issue of supply and demand (with the U.S. as the most voracious consumer of drugs and pharmaceuticals in the world), how will the U.S. assume greater ownership for its own drug issues rather than its frequent stance of pointing to Mexico as the problem? Likewise, which drugs are realistically deserving of criminal offense?

13) Where are the reports of the tangible benefits of immigrants to a country’s progress?

14) Why isn’t the factual information being communicated that immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens, so as to begin to dispel the myth of immigrants as criminals?

15) What is the Mexican government’s real level of support for expats who live in Mexico, and how can expats better serve as a bridge between the U.S. and Mexico?

16) How can the U.S. and Mexico work together for greater mutual benefit in trade relations, while also reducing governmental corruption?

17) What are the sources of legitimate communication that build greater understanding and support between citizens in the U.S. and Mexico, and how can sources of legitimate communication become increased and more broadly accessible?

18) What are the consortiums between U.S. and Mexico cities and states that generate greater understanding and opportunities?

19) How can expats become more committed to a win-win relationship for their home country and host country, and not support agendas or candidates that contribute to a win-lose between countries?

20) While governments are typically engaged in their own public and private negotiations, how can the PEOPLE of countries take a more active role in creating their own forums for agenda-building and collaboration?

21) What are greater opportunities for cultural and education exchange between countries?

22) What are greater opportunities for integrated social interaction in U.S. and Mexican communities?

What did I miss?

 


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