Arizona Republic (Opinion-Arizona)
By Dave Shedd
July 29, 2015
Kathryn
Steinle was gunned down July 1 on San Francisco’s Pier 14. Within an
hour, police arrested Francisco Sanchez and charged him with the murder.
An uproar ensued.
Sanchez
was in the country illegally. A native of Mexico, he had racked up
seven felony convictions in the U.S. and been deported five times. U.S.
Customs officials had
picked him up on a drug charge and handed him over to local authorities
in March. But San Francisco, a “sanctuary” city, set him free.
The
story was as maddening as it was tragic. Politicians were quick to
register their outrage regarding sanctuary cities and illegal
immigration.
Unfortunately,
the renewed discussion of illegal immigration has included scant
mention of the great contributions immigrants make to our country.
Instead, the debate
has too often devolved into crude stereotyping of immigrants,
particularly Mexican immigrants, as spongers and criminals. There have
been suggestions that Mexico is willfully exporting its “undesirables”
across our border.
Balderdash.
Sure,
Mexico has difficult security problems, and yes, some Mexicans entering
the U.S. unlawfully are hardened criminals. But it’s ridiculous to
suggest that an entire
country, its people and its government are actively trying to foist
their criminals on another country.
Let’s
leaven the discussion with important facts. Approximately 33.5 million
residents in the U.S. are of Mexican heritage, and two thirds of those
residents are U.S.
born. They produce approximately 8 percent of our nation’s GDP and own
nearly one of every 25 businesses.
As
for Mexicans entering this country illegally, that problem has been
getting better. Migration from Mexico has decreased annually for 10
consecutive years. Since 2012,
it’s been largely non-existent. Many estimate it to be a net zero at
this point.
While
people continue to enter the U.S. illegally via Mexico, most of their
journeys begin in Guatemala, El Salvador or Honduras.
In
Central America, criminal bands kill, kidnap and rape innocent people
with virtual impunity. As long as these deplorable security conditions
prevail, citizens of these
three nations will remain highly motivated to seek refuge in a safer,
more promising environment.
This
is not to condone illegal immigration, but to better understand what
drives it: weak civil society and rule of law in Central American
countries. The U.S. can and
should do much more to help address those issues.
Certainly
illegal immigration presents the U.S. and Mexico with serious
challenges. Border security can always be improved and should remain a
top priority. The U.S. immigration
system needs reform. But the challenges we face are far better
addressed by good will than hateful rhetoric. Finger pointing with
unsubstantiated accusations is highly counterproductive.
Mexico
has been a strong partner in addressing the Central American
immigration problem. In July 2013, Mexico entered into the U.S.-Mexico
Cross Border Security Communications
Network, which has increased intelligence sharing on human trafficking
and other illicit activities along the border. The Mexican Federal
Police conduct patrols coordinated with the U.S. Border Patrol. Without
such cooperation, the situation along our southern
border would be much worse.
So
let us not lose sight of the assistance we receive from the Mexican
government or the many contributions of Mexican migrants to our country.
They and other immigrants
who lawfully choose to call America home should be welcomed with open
arms.
The
tragic killing in San Francisco can and should promote a constructive
discussion about combating illegal immigration by enforcing existing
laws and, where necessary,
instituting reforms.
But
if we allow it to divide us and erode our engagement with Mexico and
the Central American countries to improve our mutual security, Kate
Steinle’s murder will be doubly
tragic.
For more information, go to: www.beverlyhillsimmigrationlaw.com
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