Mexican Official Wants Border Eliminated
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
LOS ANGELES ? A new man is in charge of border relations for Mexico and he has some radical ideas for change at the border with the United States.
Arturo Gonzalez Cruz (search), a 52-year-old Tijuana businessman, says many improvements are needed at the border to benefit trade, including creating more lanes and adding border crossings. Ultimately, Cruz says flat out, he wants to see the border disappear.
But critics say not so fast.
"It is clear that their objective is to affect the domestic policies of the U.S. ... and in a way that makes it easier for people who come to the U.S. illegally to get away with breaking the law number one, and to get access to all sorts of government benefits," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (search).
About 3 million illegal immigrants cross the border from Mexico into the United States each year. Cruz's office says it doesn't deal with that issue, despite the fact he will be in charge of fostering better channels of communication between people involved in border issues.
The last man who had Cruz's job resigned quietly after complaining his colleagues in Mexico City didn't have a good understanding of the border.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
LOS ANGELES ? A new man is in charge of border relations for Mexico and he has some radical ideas for change at the border with the United States.
Arturo Gonzalez Cruz (search), a 52-year-old Tijuana businessman, says many improvements are needed at the border to benefit trade, including creating more lanes and adding border crossings. Ultimately, Cruz says flat out, he wants to see the border disappear.
But critics say not so fast.
"It is clear that their objective is to affect the domestic policies of the U.S. ... and in a way that makes it easier for people who come to the U.S. illegally to get away with breaking the law number one, and to get access to all sorts of government benefits," said Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (search).
About 3 million illegal immigrants cross the border from Mexico into the United States each year. Cruz's office says it doesn't deal with that issue, despite the fact he will be in charge of fostering better channels of communication between people involved in border issues.
The last man who had Cruz's job resigned quietly after complaining his colleagues in Mexico City didn't have a good understanding of the border.
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