Why were Mexican diplomats in attendance at OUR hearings on immigration reform?

Question

When I read the below article and the mention the Mexican diplomats, I called my congressman to ask why they were there. I was told that it was an open meeting and anyone could be there and they were not their by invite or to testify.

But what the HECK! This is the sort of thing that really upsets me. This would be illegal in Mexico....you can NOT as a citizen of a foreign country, try to influence Mexican policy.





http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/classifieds/news/jobcenter/news/stories/080106dnbusimmigration.1807b29.html

I later spoke to someone who was in attendance and they said the diplomats were not quiet...they clapped and "hooted" whenever the pro-illegal speakers were giving testimony.

Answer 1

Personally I don't think any Mexican diplomats should be included in any of our business....whether it's immigration or passing Jessica's Law. UNLESS they are going to take the illegal Mexicans back to Mexico with them or offer to pay for whatever costs the illegal Mexicans have cost us. (health care, food stamps...education etc.)

Answer 2

Uh, gee, we live in a free country (as do those foreign nationals (like diplomats) who are here legally) and attendance at most House and Senate hearings are open to the public.

As to WHY the Mexican diplomats would like to influence our immigration policies: the Mexican government depends heavily upon the remittances sent home by Mexicans in the US.

If you think things are interesting now, wait until the NAFTA effect wears off in Mexico in the next couple of years. The maquiladoras are going to start closing (due to increased competition from China, India, et al.) and those workers, used to decent wages (for Mexico), are going to be headed north so fast our heads will be spinning.

Kinda makes you think getting an EFFECTIVE immigration policy in place before that happens would be a good idea, huh?

Not to worry, though, our elected politicians will never get out ahead of something like that once it's got so much baggage attached to it. They'll wait until the problem is manifest and then cobble together something fairly useless.

Unless there's a legitimate crisis (a much-overused word these days) - then they'll actually do their jobs and create a solution lasting past the following week.

Answer 3

The article said that the Mexican diplomats sat quietly at the hearings. Those hearings contained much information that is of interest to the Mexican government, and they are open to the public. The diplomats are here legally and did not violate any American laws by attending the hearing. We live in a country that has less restrictions on its citizens and its visitors that perhaps any other country in the world. Everything was done properly, so what is the problem?

Answer 4

That's called 'a double standard', and it's another great example of just how screwed up our country's become. I think we should put our immigration laws on an even par with those of mexico, and on top of that the border fence should be finished as soon as humanly possible, and the US Border Patrol needs to be enhanced in its' ability to remove 'frequent flyers' off of US soil in a matter of minutes. I think the Mexican government needs to start paying per-instance remittances to the United States for all the problems they're causing us with illegal immigration, what they'd like more than anything is to further ingratiate/integrate themselves into the american political and legal system, which I believe is the Wrong Answer. Mexico has some fairly left-leaning people, not quite communist but some sympathizers no doubt...
and we don't need communism in america.

Answer 5

Becuase it concerns their people. But take heart. If the illegal situation concerns you consider the following:


Amnesty+Citizenship= Pay the years of back taxes owed the govermnet as well as pay taxes out of your paychecks. That's roughly 20 to 30%. This is what Amnesty and citizenship are about.
Do they know that cheating the IRS is a big crime and you will be sent jail for a long time?
Do you realize what is slowly going to happen here?
If you cheat the government, all the marches in the world shall be absolutely meaningless. You may be absolutely sure of that.
Make note that come tax time, if you are aware of illegal tax fraud, or tax evasion you may report it to the IRS online.

Answer 6

How many signs of the true agenda are right out in the open only to be ignored by libbys and Lefty's, and other Americans too lazy to sit up and pay attention! I'm taking a stand right on the edge of legality...

Answer 7

Well, actually, I just wish our own government were as diligent in protecting us as their government is in keeping the American money flowing their way.

That is what their government is supposed to do - help them.

So where is OUR government protection?

If they ever show up on our side there would be no contest. However, they don't seem to be on our side.

We need to do something about that.

Answer 8

They wanted to get clear understanding of any additional items they won't be helping the US out with this year.

Answer 9

This is why we are called a FREE country and a DEMOCRACY and not a police state.

Answer 10

true