In Arizona the difference is that there is no registry listing every non-citizen within its borders. That is not a state responsibility, but falls on the United States government to maintain and enforce. At the state level the ability to verify one's citizenship in support of the 14th Amendment by local and state law enforcement or even businesses is already permitted. Whenever you are approached by the police they will ask to see identification; if you are in a vehicle the officer will ask to see your driver's license, and when you are being hired for a job you are given paperwork that specifically asks for proof of citizenry.
The provisions of Mexico’s Ley General de Población (General Law of the Population) lays out their rules and there’s been no public outcry for immigration reform, because it is illegal for any non-citizen to express such in public gatherings. Is this not what the Mexican government is doing here by registering a complaint with the President and joining in on the lawsuits against Arizona’s new immigration law?
They do not allow any non-citizens to participate in or be involved with the political affairs of their country. There are a lot of Mexican statutes that limit the participation of foreigners in everything from investment, education, mining, and civil aviation to energy and firearms. This is especially true when it comes to both private property and your rights at your place of employment.
Malkin points out that if an individual applies for citizenship with the Mexican Consulate they:
- must not upset “the equilibrium of the national demographics”
- must enhance the country’s “economic or national interests”
- must not be found to be "physically or mentally unhealthy"
- must show no “contempt against national sovereignty or security”
- must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories…
- must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care.
If we applied this to the immigrants that enter this country illegally or apply to become an American citizen, would it ease the tensions that have been brewing ever since SB 1070 was introduced? Perhaps not, but presenting this argument just might make Mexico sit back and do as they say, and not as they please.
Article comments
1 - Marco D'Angelo
We as Americans, need to stop complaining because Mexico has stricter laws. If it wasn't for these strict laws enacted at Mexico's southern border, we'd be seeing way more illegal immigrants than we already have. People need to see that Mexico is doing us a favor with their system.
2 - John Wilson
Edward Abbey used to say that the US Border Patrol should give every attempting immigrant a gun and a map to Mexico City.
3 - Doug Hunter
We should take a look at whatever Mexico is doing... and do the opposite. Really, we need to argue our own issues on their merits not compare ourselves with third world neighbors.
4 - Juan
hmmm, strict or not, at least Mexico has a path to legally immigrate, is you wish to whereas thew US restricts people of certain nations from even applying for any kind of legal status. It is fallacious to say "get to the end of the line" when there isn't even a line.
5 - John H
what did the USA do before the last 30 years of massive illegal immigration? (answer: It did fine: America was clean, safe, and its public schools were the envy of the world, not overcrowded or dumbed down to accommodate children who speak only a foreign language). Second, the USA is the only advanced society that does not enforce its immigration laws. Do european countries fail because they enforce their laws and manage their resources without being overrun by waves of people forcing their way in? No, modern countries like France, Germany and England do fine, better than we are in many ways, and they enforce their immigration laws and deport illegal aliens (as apparently does Mexico, too).
6 - Clavos
US public (read government) schools have never been "the envy of the world."
Deservedly so.
Among others, British, German and Scandinavian schools are vastly superior to American government institutions, as are Japanese, Australian and New Zealand's schools.
There are many others as well.
7 - Ruvy
It appears that the seizure of two ranches inside the United States by a Mexican drug cartel that is populated by Mexican politicians as well as corrupt cops from its various police services throw an entirely new light on "the man in the mirror" and the Americans without the cojones to shoot invaders of their country. Welcome to Israel, folks!
8 - Nick
There was a time when the U.S. public school system really was the "envy of the world," with high quality education that was a model for advanced society.
9 - Amber
People have the right to immigrate wherever and whenever they want!