[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 44 (Friday, April 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3374-S3375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
``MEXICO AND THE MIGRATION PHENOMENON'' DOCUMENT
Mr. DODD. Mr. President, yesterday I spoke about the need to pass a
comprehensive immigration reform bill. In the course of those remarks,
I described a document signed by all five of Mexico's Presidential
candidates in the run-up to this July's Presidential elections in that
country, as well as leaders from every major party in Mexico. That
document makes clear that leaders on both sides of the border
understand that border security is a fundamental necessity. I ask
unanimous consent that the document, ``Mexico and the Migration
Phenomenon,'' be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
Mexico and the Migration Phenomenon
In Mexico, as in other countries and regions of the world,
migration is a complex and difficult phenomenon to approach.
The diverse migration processes of exit, entrance, return and
transit of migrants are all present in our country.
Given the extent and the characteristics of today's
migration phenomenon, which will continue in the immediate
future and given the implications that it represents for our
country's development, a new vision and a change are
necessary in the way Mexican society has approached, thus
far, its responsibilities toward the migration phenomenon.
Over the last years, the magnitude reached by Mexican
migration and its complex effects in the economic and social
life of Mexico and the United States, have made the migration
phenomenon increasingly important for the national agendas of
both countries, and a priority issue in the bilateral agenda.
From the outset of the Administration, the government of
President Fox put forward a proposal to the Mexican public
opinion and to the highest authorities in the United States,
regarding a comprehensive plan aimed at dealing with the
diverse aspects of migration between the two countries.
Mexico based its proposal on the principle of shared
responsibility, which acknowledges that both countries must
do their share in order to obtain the best results from the
bilateral management of the migration phenomenon.
In 2001, the governments of both nations intensified the
dialogue and set in motion a process of bilateral
negotiations with the intent of finding ways to face the
multiple challenges and opportunities of the phenomenon;
these actions were taken with the objective of establishing a
new migration framework between the two countries.
However, the terrorist attacks of September 2001 against
the United States, criminal acts which were unmistakably
deplorable, altered the bilateral agenda on migration. On the
one hand, the link between migration and national security--
mainly along the shared border--is now an essential issue of
that agenda. On the other hand, the participation in the
migration debate of varied political actors--especially
legislators of both countries--has increased.
The debate that is currently taking place in the United
States, concerning a possible migration reform, represents an
opportunity for Mexico and for the bilateral handling of the
phenomenon. It also encourages a deep analysis of the
consequences that this process can have for our country and
its migration policy.
Based on a joint initiative by the Executive Branch and the
Senate of Mexico, a group of federal authorities responsible
for the management of the migration phenomenon, senators and
congressmen, members of the academia, experts in migratory
issues, and representatives of civil society organizations,
agreed to initiate an effort that seeks to build a national
migration policy, founded over shared diagnoses and
platforms. Accordingly, the group has held a series of
discussions titled Prospects and Design of Platforms for the
Construction of a Mexican Migration Policy.
The ideas expressed in this document are the result of
those discussions. They intend to bring up to date Mexico's
migration position and to offer some specific guidance
regarding the process of migration reform in the United
States.
principles
Based on the discussions held, the participants agreed upon
the following set of principles that should guide Mexico's
migration policy:
The migration phenomenon should be fully understood by the
Mexican State--society and government--because it demands
actions and commitments that respond to the prevailing
conditions.
The migration phenomenon has international implications
that demand from Mexico actions and international
commitments--in particular with the neighboring regions and
countries--which, in accordance with the spirit of
international cooperation, should be guided by the principle
or shared responsibility.
Mexico's migration policy acknowledges that as long as a
large number of Mexicans do not find in their own country an
economic and social environment that facilitates their full
development and well-being, and that encourages people to
stay in the country, conditions for emigrating abroad will
exist.
Mexico must develop and enforce its migration laws and
policy with full respect for the human rights of the migrants
and their relatives, notwithstanding their nationality and
migration status, as well as respecting the refugee and
asylum rights. In accordance with the applicable
international instruments.
The increased linkage between migration, borders and
security on the international level, is a reality present in
the relationship with our neighboring countries. Hence, it is
necessary to consider those three elements when drawing up
migration policies.
Mexico is committed to fighting all forms of human
smuggling and related criminal activities, to protecting the
integrity and safety of persons, and to deepening the
appropriate cooperation with the governments of the
neighboring countries.
The migration processes that prevail in Mexico are
regionally articulated--in particular with Central America--
and therefore the Mexican migration policy should deepen its
regional approach.
recommendations regarding the commitments that Mexico should agree on
Main recommendations considered by the group in order to
update Mexico's migration policy:
Based on the new regional and international realities
regarding immigration, transmigration and emigration, it is
necessary to evaluate and to update the present migration
policy of the Mexican State, as well as its legal and
normative framework, with a timeline of fifteen to twenty
years.
It is necessary to impel the economical and social
development that, among other positive effects, will
encourage people to stay in Mexico.
If a guest country offers a sufficient number of
appropriate visas to cover the biggest possible number of
workers and their families, which until now cross the border
without documents because of the impossibility of obtaining
them. Mexico should be responsible for guaranteeing that each
person that decides to leave its territory does so following
legal channels.
Based on international cooperation, Mexico must strengthen
the combat against criminal organizations specialized in
migrant smuggling and in the use or false documents, as well
as the policies and the legal and normative framework for the
prevention and prosecution of human smuggling, especially
women and children, and the protection of the victims of that
crime.
It is necessary to promote the return and adequate
reincorporation of migrants and their families to national
territory.
Mexico's migration policy must be adjusted taking into
account the characteristics of our neighboring countries, in
order to safeguard the border and to facilitate the legal,
safe and orderly flow of people, under the principles of
shared responsibility and respect for human rights.
Order and security in Mexico's north and south borders must
be fortified, with an emphasis on the development of the
border regions.
Reinforce cooperation with the United States and Canada
through the Security and Prosperity Partnership for North
America, and with the regional bodies and mechanisms for the
treatment of the phenomenon, like the Regional Conference on
Migration and the Cumbre Iberoamericana.
The review and, if necessary, adjustment of the juridical
and institutional framework, in order to adequately respond
to the present and the foreseeable conditions of the
migration phenomenon; this will require the creation of a
specialized inter institutional mechanism of collaboration.
The creation of permanent work mechanisms for the Executive
and Legislative Branches, with the participation of academic
and civil society representatives that allow the development
and fulfillment of Mexico's migration agenda.
elements related to a possible migration reform in the United States
Mexico does not promote undocumented migration and is eager
to participate in finding solutions that will help us face
the migration phenomenon. Accordingly, the group decided to
express certain thoughts about what is the Mexico's position
in case a migration reform takes place in the United States:
Acknowledging the sovereign right of each country to
regulate the entrance of foreigners and the conditions of
their stay, it is indispensable to find a solution for the
undocumented population that lives in the United States and
contributes to the development of the country, so that people
can be
[[Page S3375]]
fully incorporated into their actual communities, with the
same rights and duties.
Support the proposal of a far-reaching guest workers
scheme, which should be one of the parts of a larger process
that includes the attention of the undocumented Mexicans that
live in the United States.
In order for a guest workers program to be viable, Mexico
should participate in its design management supervision and
evaluation, under the principle of shared responsibility.
A scheme aimed to process the legal temporary flow of
persons, will allow Mexico and the United States to better
combat criminal organizations specialized in the smuggling of
migrants and the use of false documents, and to combat, in
general, the violence and the insecurity that prevail in the
shared border. Likewise, Mexico would be in a better position
to exhort potential migrants to abide by the proper rules and
to adopt measures in order to reduce undocumented migration.
Mexico should conclude the studies that are being conducted
to know which tasks will help with the implementation of a
guest workers program, regarding the proper management of the
supply of potential participants, the establishment of
supporting, certification mechanisms, and the supervision and
evaluation of its development.
Mexico acknowledges that a crucial aspect for the success
of a temporary workers program refers to the capacity to
guarantee the circular flow of the participants, as well as
the development of incentives that encourage migrants to
return to our country. Mexico could significantly enhance its
tax-preferred housing programs, so that migrants can
construct a house in their home communities while they work
in the United States.
Other mechanisms that should be developed are the
establishment of a bilateral medical insurance system to
cover migrants and their relatives, as well as the agreement
of totalization of pension benefits, which will allow
Mexicans working in the United States to collect their
pension benefits in Mexico.
Mexico could also enhance the programs of its Labor and
Social Development Ministries, in order to establish social
and working conditions that encourage and ease the return and
reincorporation of Mexicans into their home communities.
This working group aims to become a permanent body of
study, debate and development of public policies for the
handling of the migration phenomenon.
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