Op-Ed on immigration

By: Bristol Glasgow

I do not want confrontation. I want diplomacy and dialogue. We are neighbors aren’t we? We’re not going anywhere. We must peacefully coexist.

The new tariffs that Trump has proposed if Mexico does not stop immigration to the United-States, especially at Texas’ McAllen border are unreasonable and will not benefit either one of our countries. I am aware of the immigration crisis affecting the US, Mexico, Central, and South America. Mexico is doing its best to stem the flow of migrants passing through Mexico on their way to the US. We are doing our best to guard our southern border with Guatemala but it is mostly made up of water and dense jungle. It is important that we do not let our personal beliefs get in the way of governing our counties.

Historically, the United States and Mexico have had a healthy relationship. Our countries share the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, religion, right to live free from fear and, the right to live free from miseries. Mexico should be an ally of the United States.

Mexico is the US’ largest trading partner since we overtook Canada in April 2019. Mexico, the United States and Canada entered NAFTA in 1994 to increase trade in the region. We have re-negotiated a new agreement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, in response to previous concerns about a trade imbalance with Mexico.

The markets reacted negatively to your announcement of the tariffs - the Mexican peso weakened, shares of Japanese automakers that have manufacturing facilities in Mexico fell and American stocks on Wall Street closed lower on Friday. You are doing nothing but shooting yourself in the foot. We already agreed to increase minimum wage for auto workers to $16 by 2023, union representation, labor protection for migrant workers and to protect women from discrimination. We have bent to your endless demands and you still want more. You need to step up and ratify the agreement. The abandonment of Mexico would be harsh but China is a geopolitical and economic adversary that could easily fill that space.

Mexico provides these goods at a small unit price for America,

Cars, parts, accessories

Electronics

Clothes

Liquor

Fuel

Food

Mexico is one of the biggest export markets of agriculture to the United States. We provide a majority of the corn and pork, not to mention one in three fresh fruits and vegetables that Americans consume. Popular exports like avocados, berries and tomatoes would steeply rise in cost harming your citizens, especially ones barely afloat in your current economy.

The mass immigration is not caused by a folk tale that American streets are paved with gold. The mass immigration is caused by necessity. Latin American countries need help from the United States of America with jobs and crime prevention. If the US helps to create conditions in the countries that are hemorrhaging immigrants, it will create conditions that will keep people in their countries.

Mexico’s hands are tied in this situation. We want to stop immigration and have low tariffs but human rights are much more important. Mexicans are working towards being less dependent on the United States which will result in lower, optional immigration. We are fighting corruption in Mexico and hope to become powerful and have social dimension.

The “wall” is a sign of abandonment by the US government of your neighbors to the south. Do not turn your back on your fellow human beings in their time of crisis. We do not have the resources for a complete militarization of a 19 hundred mile border. A policy of “America First” is a fallacy. Throughout history, isolationist policies have been shown to fail time and time again. Whatever you decide to do, without Mexico’s efforts, a quarter million more migrants will be knocking on your door. Build bridges, not walls.