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 News from Around the Americas | February 2007 
Mexican Effort Tied to Declining US Immigrant Arrests
 Dudley Althaus - Houston Chronicle
| | Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff addresses the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) |
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday that a recent plunge in detentions of illegal migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border indicates that increased enforcement is having an impact.
"We're comfortable that this actually reflects a change in momentum" of illegal immigration to the United States, Chertoff said after a series of meetings with Mexican security officials to discuss immigration, narcotics enforcement and other matters. "It doesn't mean we can declare victory."
Figures released late last month by U.S. officials showed a 23 percent drop in border apprehensions in the three months since November compared with a year earlier. While lower apprehensions can have a number of causes, Chertoff and other officials said it shows that fewer people are trying to slip across the border illegally.
"In each quarter we see a decrease in apprehensions compared to the prior year," Chertoff said. "Deterrents work, provided that you're consistent."
Toughened border enforcement is a necessary condition for the U.S. public to accept an immigration overhaul package pushed by President Bush that would allow Mexican guest workers, Chertoff said. A tougher-to-breach border, coupled with a guest worker program, would allow the Border Patrol to concentrate on security threats, he said.
The so-called "border wall," which would entail 700 miles of fencing, enchanced radar, sensors and other measures, will be part of that enforcement effort, Chertoff said.
He also praised Mexico's efforts against U.S.-bound migrants from Central America. He said renewed efforts to stop potential migrants from crossing Mexico has had an impact.
Those measures in recent weeks have gained widespread notice in the media and by human rights groups amid reports of kidnappings, rapes and other abuse of Central Americans at the hands of Mexican police.
Chertoff also praised President Felipe Calderon's offensive against criminal gangs.
The crackdown, which included the January extradition to the United States of some of Mexico's leading drug traffickers, has met an ambivalent reception in Mexico and decidedly mixed results so far.
Historically hot and cold, U.S.-Mexico relations took a hit in 2003 when Mexico refused to support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in the United Nations.
President Bush travels to Mexico next month to meet with Calderon and then sets off on a tour of Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil and Uruguay.
dudley.althaus@chron.com |
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