    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [May 6, 1997]
    [Pages 555-556]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on Migration Adopted by the President of the United
    States and the President of Mexico
    May 6, 1997

        The issue of migration of Mexican nationals to the United States is
    a priority on our bilateral agenda. We, the Presidents of the United
    States and Mexico hereby politically commit our respective governments
    to strive to ensure a proper and respectful management of this complex
    phenomenon taking into consideration its diverse causes and economic and
    social consequences in both countries.
        During the last two years, our governments have engaged in
    consultations and exchange of information through many mechanisms and
    have produced significant progress in the bilateral treatment of issues
    such as human rights and consular protection of migrants and efforts to
    combat migrant trafficking. This constructive dialogue should serve as a
    first step leading to specific proposals to manage migration between our
    nations in a mutually beneficial manner.
        In pursuing these proposals, our governments reaffirm a commitment
    to enhanced bilateral cooperation in the management of migration. We
    will be guided by the following principles:
        The sovereign right of every State to formulate and enforce
                its immigration laws in a manner that addresses its national
                interests, always in accordance with the rules of
                international law and in pursuit of a spirit of bilateral
                cooperation;
        Full compliance with the objectives of the memorandum of
                Understanding on Consular Protection of United States and
                Mexican Nationals, signed on May 7, 1996, especially the
                respect for human rights of all migrants; and,
        Dedication to a comprehensive vision of managing migration
                and our shared border that turns differences between our
                nations into sources of strength, and that leads to mutually
                beneficial economic and social development that preserves
                family reunification and protects human dignity.
        On the basis of these principles, we, the Presidents of the United
    States and Mexico commit our governments to intensify dialogue and to
    accelerate efforts to achieve the following goals:
        Explore ways to strengthen mechanisms and fora for
                consultation and cooperation on migration and consular
                protection that the two governments have established at the
                national and local level;
        Protect the rights of migrants, pursue vigorously the
                administration of justice in situations in which migrants
                and border communities register complaints concerning
                unlawful actions, and respect due process and constitutional
                guarantees in the implementation of immigration laws;
        Ensure the implementation of safe and orderly procedures for
                the repatriation of migrants;

    [[Page 556]]

        Design and implement new ways to reduce violence along the
                border and to protect innocent victims of traffickers from
                the dangers of crossing in mountainous and desert terrain,
                including a vigorous educational and public information
                campaign to advise families on both sides of the border of
                the hazards of crossing in those areas;
        Combat trafficking in migrants and forging of documents and,
                to that end, develop effective mechanisms of exchange of
                information and cooperation, with full respect for the
                sovereignty of each country;
        Achieve a comprehensive approach on the migration phenomenon
                between the two countries through scientific and cooperative
                studies that contribute to a bilateral understanding of this
                issue.
        We, the Presidents of the United States and Mexico, affirm our
    governments' political will to strive to fulfill a vision of our shared
    border in the twenty-first century as a place that supports and depends
    on building communities of cooperation rather than of conflict. In
    pursuance of this vision, our governments will work together to expand
    upon the foundation of progress made through joint planning and
    cooperation during the last two years in certain border areas. Both
    administrations will intensify efforts to achieve the following goals:
        Encourage binational strategic planning activities that seek
                to design new integrated approaches to mutually beneficial
                economic, social, environmental, and cultural development in
                border communities;
        Support and expand public and private partnerships in
                developing cross border interests and activities, and in
                pursuing shared interests on either side of the border;
        Intensify the dialogue on financing mechanisms that promote
                and implement cross border development projects;
        Test new ways to design infrastructure and community
                development projects that provide a dignified approach to
                public safety in border communities;
        Explore new approaches to managing temporary travel between
                border communities, consistent with the laws of each nation,
                recognizing the economic, social and family benefits of
                vigorous cross border exchange; and,
        Promote effective management of ports of entry to foster
                orderly movement of traffic of goods and people, and to
                reduce the waiting times for daily commuters and other
                commercial vehicles.
        We, the Presidents of the United States and Mexico, call on the
    relevant agencies of both administrations to report to us in one year,
    through the Binational Commission, on the progress made towards the
    better management of the migration phenomenon and the transformation of
    our border into a model area of bilateral cooperation.

              William J. Clinton              Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
                   President                            President
         The United States of America          Federal Republic of Mexico

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.