Whereas, on August 25, 2010, 72 migrants were executed in
Tamaulipas, Mexico, at the hands of a criminal syndicate that targeted them
with the intention of extorting from them their last material resources;
Whereas the enormity and utter callousness of this crime
shocks the sensibilities of the people of the United States as well as those of
Mexico and throughout Latin America;
Whereas the proliferation of criminal gangs like the one
responsible for this heinous crime highlight the extreme insecurity faced by
migrants;
Whereas the current reality of depressed economic
conditions, debilitated social circumstances, and the tragic stigmatization of
migrants inspires a desire to uphold values of decency, shared responsibility,
and concern for the poor;
Whereas legal protections are sadly absent for large
numbers of migrants who elect to leave their communities of origin despite the
great risks, in order to change the material conditions of their lives for the
good of their families; and
Whereas the United States is a country of immigrants and
their children who elected to exercise that very same basic human right to
uproot themselves in order to improve their lives and make possible the success
of their children and grandchildren: Now, therefore, be it
That the House of
Representatives—
(1)expresses condolences to the families and
friends of the victims of this tragedy for the terrible loss of life and
supports the efforts of the Government of Mexico to thoroughly investigate the
case, safeguard the survivors and witnesses, and prosecute the parties
responsible for this tragedy;
(2)recognizes that
the Government of Mexico has adopted a Comprehensive Strategy for the
Prevention of the Kidnapping of Migrants which, if effectively implemented,
will help protect migrants from the abuses which led to this horrific
disaster;
(3)recognizes the
important reform bill passed by the Mexican Congress that would allow
undocumented migrants to file complaints and receive medical treatment, and the
importance of taking concrete steps to apply this law; and
(4)urges the Governments of the United States,
Mexico, and nations throughout Latin America to—
(A)commit to greater
collaboration on the management and reform of migration policies within and
between countries, to reduce the loss of life and establish safe, legal, and
orderly migration that respects and protects human rights; and
(B)work together to address the economic and
social factors driving high rates of irregular migration that increasingly
exposes migrants to exploitive and life-threatening conditions.