Mexico finds its own Immigration Plan

Since July of last year, Mexico has beefed up surveillance and control on its southern border in order to stem the flow of migrants and contraband headed north. With the announcement of Plan Sur, the immigration control program headed by the Nation Immigration Institute, Mexico has advanced its militarization along the Chiapas border and throughout the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

The Nation Migration Institute launched a series of operations throughout the lower half of the country. These include increased patrolling of the Mexican coasts of Veracruz, Tabasco and Chiapas and increased inspections of train routes and increased highway checkpoints from Chiapas through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

The dramatic surge in military and immigration checkpoints was witnessed by Pueblo por la Paz members last summer during a two week caravan from Mexico City to Chiapas. During the last week in June of 2001 the group encountered no military or immigration checkpoints. Upon leaving Southern Mexico, the first week of July, the group was stopped multiple times by both the Mexican military and immigration officials.

As the economic and the human rights situations declines in Central and South America, as well as other parts of the world, the surge of migrants north has kept pace. The effect of increased border security will surely lead to an increase of migrants attempting riskier border crossing. Indeed, some 650 people have died crossing the southern border in the last three years as migrants make their way through the jungle and across rivers like the Usumacinta in boats, abandoned tires or by simply swimming the muddy channels.

Why the sudden surge in immigration patrols? Last August the Christian Science Monitor quoted Felipe de Jesus Preciado Coronado, commissioner of the government's National Migration Institute, "We're trying to catch them because it's good for Mexico, but I also know very well that our efforts are of great benefit to the US." Indeed, some immigrant rights groups think that part of the reason is to appease the US by keeping non-Mexican migrants out while lobbying for favoritism for Mexican citizens who have the same goal of reaching better paying jobs here. Mexican work visas and amnesty were a part of talks between Vicente Fox and George W. in the latter part of last year.

The irony in all this is that the Mexico is pursuing a policy similar to its northern neighbor. During a speech in Milwaukee last year, President Fox said that efforts to seal the border between Mexico and the US had not only failed to reduce migration but had encouraged a "fatal black market in migration." Coyotes and corrupt government officials have exploited migrants entering Mexico just like they have exploited migrants trying to enter the US.

Perhaps Mexico can learn a lesson or two from its Northern neighbor. Simply sealing off the main ports of entry and focusing on a natural "bottleneck" does not stem the tide of migration. Rather, it forces the desperate to seek riskier ventures in achieving their ultimate goal of better economic opportunities.

SOA WATCH UPDATE

Yet another group of SOA Watch protesters will face 6 months in prison and heavy fines for actions at last November's mass direct action at Ft. Benning. 43 people go on trial July 8 in federal court in Columbus, Georgia.

Those charged range from numerous nuns and priests and ministers to Earth First! activists, teachers, students, therapists, and even some students who accidentally drove onto the base and a nun who was invited onto the base for a Pentagon propaganda event.

Local former Criminals for the Cause Ken Kennon and Lois Putzier, who each spent six months in federal prison, and Lois' partner Jerry Wharton, will be making the trip to Georgia to do support work for the group.

Also, 37 protesters face a status hearing June 7 for the massive Colombia Mobilization in Washington DC in April. They participated in direct actions blocking parking lots and such, in a symbolic effort to interrupt business as usual (warmaking) at the Capitol.

Upcoming direct actions include a small gathering at the gates of Ft. Benning August 11 as SOA Watch/Witness for Peace delegates return from Colombia and express their opposition to US policy there. And this year's version of the annual mass action at Ft. Benning will take place November 15-17, the 13th anniversary of the Jesuit massacre in El Salvador, perpetrated by SOA grads.

Last year over 10,000 gathered at the gates. Hundreds participated in various forms of civil disobedience. Year after year this is the largest annual civil disobedience peace action in the country. Apparently a bus will be heading to Georgia from Tucson. Not too soon to mark the calendars!