Mexico's new ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukan, has promised what the Associated Press called “an aggressive lobbying effort in the United States to secure an immigration reform agreement.” What he means by “reform” is an amnesty/guest worker program for Mexicans living illegally in the United States.

To accomplish this objective, Sarukan will mobilize Mexican consulates around the U.S. to lobby state and federal lawmakers, business groups, and civic organizations. Said the ambassador, “We are going to put into place the same kind of diplomatic and lobbying effort that we did in the early 1990s when NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement] was being decided.” Sarukan affirmed that few other matters “are more important to the future of [Mexico].”

Aside from this lobbying, he vowed to protect the rights of Mexicans in the United States. He did not make a distinction between legal and illegal residents. Sarukan said that this policy “forms the backbone of our diplomacy.”

The Mexican ambassador appears to understand that amnesty/guest worker is not popular with most American voters. He stated that it must pass soon, before campaigning begins for the 2008 elections.

While Mexicans have no scruples about meddling in American political affairs, they do not tolerate similar activity in their own country. Article 33 of the Mexican constitution states that “[Mexico] has the exclusive right to expel from the national territory, immediately and without necessity of judicial proceedings, all foreigners whose stay it judges inconvenient. Foreigners may not, in any manner, involve themselves in the political affairs of the country.” Source: The Associated Press 2/20/07

Bank of America Targets Immigrants
3/1/07

The Bank of America is test-marketing credit cards, reported The Los Angeles Times, to “Spanish-speaking customers who may not have Social Security numbers.” Those without S.S. numbers can use individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

Critics point out that illegal aliens, who are not entitled to Social Security numbers, often obtain ITINs to get various benefits. Thus, charge the critics, Bank of America, is aiming at illegals as a market. Concerns about fraud and security also are issues. Said Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, “At face value the program seems to be problematic. It seems to be lending itself to possibilities of perpetuating identity theft or creating more risk for money laundering.” Source: Raleigh News and Observer (2/14/07)

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