The Case for Mexican Immigration Law

As the President of Mexico has pointed out, Mexico's policy toward immigration is far more advanced and thought out then ours. Michael Waller at the think tank Center for Security Policy has written an interesting case for the US adapting Mexico's immigration policy and laws:

At a time when the Supreme Court and many politicians seek to bring American law in

line with foreign legal norms, it’s noteworthy that nobody has argued that the US look at

how Mexico deals with immigration and what it might teach us about how best to solve

our illegal immigration problem. Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that

foreign visitors and immigrants are:

• in the country legally;

• have the means to sustain themselves economically;

• not destined to be burdens on society;

• of economic and social benefit to society;

• of good character and have no criminal records; and

• contributors to the general well-being of the nation.

The law also ensures that:

• immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;

• foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;

• foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country’s internal politics;

• foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;

• foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;

• those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.

Who could disagree with such a law? It makes perfect sense. The Mexican constitution

strictly defines the rights of citizens – and the denial of many fundamental rights to non-

citizens, illegal and illegal.

He might be on to something here. Certainly seems to warrant further discussion. Since President Obama appears to be in complete agreement with the policy of Mexico, I wouldn't be surprised to seen him form some type of Blue Ribbon Panel to evaluate and incorporate Mexico's laws into those of the US.