Letxa.com

The latest flap is about a booklet produced by the Mexican government that is targeted at those Mexicans that may be considering crossing the border illegally. Some radical sites are even suggesting "It is a guide on how to enter the US illegally. It is an act of war. It is part of a long-term plan to flood the US, particularly California and the Southwest, with illegal Mexicans...".

This article at AZCentral.com quotes immigration-control advocates that "worry that some of the tips may encourage illegal border crossers.". It then goes on to quote a few passages from the booklet and raise questions about potentially conflicting messages.

The truth is far less sensational and comments such as the booklet being an act of war are too absurd to even take seriously--such comments are an attempt at sensationalism appealing to the fears and bigotry that some people in the United States have towards people that, quite simply, don't speak our language. Since many don't speak English they are somehow mysterious to those Americans that don't speak Spanish--and people fear what they don't understand. Attempts to demonize Mexicans and the country of Mexico as having "declared war" are blatant attempts to appeal to the basist and most dishonorable emotions that we, as humans and Americans, have.

ABOUT THE BOOKLET

The booklet is a survival guide to try to reduce the number of Mexicans who die in their attempt to enter the United States illegally. The booklet aims to discourage such immigration by repeatedly making clear the risk of being detained and even dying--as many Mexicans do each year in their attempt to sneak into the U.S. The booklet also provides information regarding the rights that any person in the U.S. has, illegal alien or not. Since so many Mexicans are detained it is perfectly reasonable that these people know their rights.

According to AZCentral.com:

"The book is being distributed as a free supplement to El Libro Vaquero, a popular cowboy comic book, in five Mexican states that send many migrants to the United States: Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla, Oaxaca and Jalisco. The government plans to print 1.5 million copies."

This booklet is not being widely distributed across Mexico--it is being distributed as a free insert into a rather low-end adult comic book targeted at precisely the demographic that tends to try to enter the United States illegally.

It does not encourage illegal immigration nor does it glamorize it in any way. It is full of warnings of potentially deadly situation and confinement in prison--and some of the pictures depict the potential risks.

DEBUNKING SOME CLAIMS

Some things have been quoted, particulary here.

• "The book comes with a yellow disclaimer saying it does not promote undocumented immigration, and it repeatedly warns against crossing illegally. But it gives no information about the steps for seeking a U.S. visa.

  While it is true that the booklet doesn't specifically provide information about how to seek U.S. visas, the very first page does state that the correct way to enter another country is with a Mexican passport and a visa from the country that is to be visited. That it does not enter the details of how to obtain an American visa is not surprising--it is a survival guide targeted at people that are not going to request a visa.

• "The book's pictures are drawn to match the style of El Libro Vaquero. They portray the migrants as strong and healthy men and women, wading into a river or walking through the desert."

  This further confirms the target market. It also shows a strong, healthy man lying in the middle of the desert on the page following the one that talks about dehydration in the desert. If anything, the subconscious message is that even these strong, healthy men can't beat the heat of the desert.

• "Dramatic drawings show undocumented immigrants wading into a river, running from the U.S. Border Patrol and crouching near a hole in a border fence."

  It also tells them not to do these things. The booklet also has a picture of a man striking his wife on page 26 in a section that warns against family violence. Are we to assume that the booklet is encouraging domestic violence?

• "Seven pages are devoted to migrants' legal rights after they are detained and another four to living peacefully in the United States. 'Avoid attracting attention, at least while you are arranging your stay or documents to live in the United States," it says. "The best formula is to not alter your routine of going from work to home.""

  Actually, this text is found in a section of what to do if you've been accused of a crime and are awaiting sentencing. Nevertheless, the tips are valid for anyone and are not particularly designed at helping the immigrant to avoid attracting attention but rather are just general tips for anyone that might be coming from Mexico. Things like how to deal with being stopped by a police, telling the truth, and perhaps avoiding playing loud music to avoid bothering the neighbors are all things that might not be readily apparent to a Mexican (legal or illegal). In Mexico it is common to ignore a traffic cop that asks you to stop, people often find it easier to fudge the truth when asked by a corrupt traffic cop, and playing loud music at parties on the weekend until 4am is not something the police are going to respond to.

• "A Border Patrol spokesman said he does not think the book encourages illegal crossers. "If they've already gone ahead and made that decision to cross illegally . . . then anything that helps protect lives is worth it," said Andy Adame, spokesman for the Border Patrol's Tucson sector."

  This really sums it up. A spokesman of the U.S. Border Patrol--an organization that discourages illegal immigration--does not even believe it encourages illegal crossers.

• "A lot of it is disclaimers, but then there's this part about if you're going to cross the desert, do it when the sun isn't so hot," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies. "It's a mixed message.""

  Where is the mixed message? It is a survival guide. If the person has decided to cross I see absolutely nothing wrong with giving him some survival information to reduce the probability that he'll die.

• Said John Vincent, editor of a newsletter published by Virginia-based Americans for Immigration Control: "It really looks like the Mexican government is encouraging illegal immigration. It shows the contempt that the Mexican government has for our laws."

  This is completely unfounded. The booklet is a survival guide and explains the rights anyone in the U.S. has. There is nothing in the booklet that would encourage anyone to cross illegally. If anything, the repeated warnings of the risk of death and prison should discourage it.

• The Mexican government produces a similar book aimed at Central American immigrants who try to enter Mexico illegally. The book covers much of the same information about legal rights and repeats many of the warnings. It even shows a group of migrants struggling to breathe inside a truck. But that book doesn't give the same kind of safety tips on crossing the border or advise immigrants on how to live peacefully in Mexico.

  Most likely because it is well known that most Central Americans that illegaly enter Mexico are on their way to enter the U.S. Very few Central Americans illegally enter Mexico and plan to stay in Mexico.

THE PROBLEM AND REALITY OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

I am a social and fiscal conservative. I agree 100% that we should protect our borders and that all illegal immigrants should be deported immediately. If someone wants to live and work in the U.S., they must go through legal channels to do so.

But I'm also a realist. Mexicans will continue to flood our borders as long as Americans continue to hire them. They are not here for free social security, they are not here for welfare checks, and the vast majority of them are not here to engage in theft or other crimes to finance their lives. They move to the U.S. to work.

I agree that we must better protect our border. But our border with Mexico is thousands of miles long and we will never win the war on illegal immigration as long American companies continue to hire the cheap labor that illegal immigrants provide. Yes, we need to stop people from entering our country illegally but defending the border is only half the battle. We must crack down on American companies that illegaly hire illegal workers. Serious investigation and strict enforcement of labor laws in geographic areas and in job markets that typically employ illegal immigrants is an obvious and appropriate response. Stiff fines levied on those employers could more than pay for the cost of enforcement.

To turn around and try to blame our immigration problems on a neighboring government is absurd and gets us no closer to the solution. It is sticking our head in the sand and blaming the problem on someone else. The Mexican government has absolutely no responsibility to protect our borders for us--and their citizens would be rightfully upset if their government violated their own Constitution and limited the free movement of its citizens. The Mexican government does, however, have a responsibility to look out for the well-being of their people regardless of where they are and how they got there; just like American consulates look out for the well-being of our citizens abroad--including those Americans that have violated a law in a foreign country.

The United States has enough enemies in the world already. Creating a non-existant enemy out of Mexico or its people serves no productive purpose other than to promote and encourage further tension, racism, and resentment on both sides of the border. Illegal immigration is illegal and, as such, those that engage in it should be detained and deported. However, to suggest that the Mexican government is actually encouraging it--much less to suggest that it is an act of war--is extremism, bigotry, and simply uninformed bunk which cheapens the legitimate debate of how to resolve the problem of illegal immigration.

It is my sincere hope that journalists, our U.S. politicians, and especially our society will not let themselves be deceived by those that would seek to intentionally demonize the government and people of our southern neighbor.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The rest of this page contains the English translation of the "Guide for the Mexican Immigrant" along with the accompanying pictures that are included in the original Spanish version. Each page of the translation below includes a link to the original Spanish version for anyone that wishes to verify my translation. If you find any error in my translation please let me know.

Page 1 (Original Spanish Page 1)
INTRODUCTION Dear fellow citizen: This guide attempts to provide some practical advice that may be of use, in the event that you have made the difficult decision to search for new work opportunities outside your country. The safe way to enter another country is to first obtain your passport, which is issued by the offices of the Secretary of Foreign Relations, and the visa, which you request at the Embassy or Consulate of the country to which you wish to travel. However, in practice we see many cases of Mexicans that try	to cross the northern border without the necessary documents, through areas of high risk which involve facing grave dangers, particularly in desert areas or rivers with strong and not always visible water currents.
Page 2-3 (Original Spanish Pages 2-3)
By reading this guide, you will be able to inform yourself also about some basic questions about the legal consequences of your stay in the United States of America without the appropriate migratory documents, as well as about the rights you have in that country, once you find yourself in it, regardless of your migratory situation. Keep in mind that there are always mechanisms so that you can legally enter the United States of America. In any case, if you have problems o are confronted by difficulties, remember that Mexico has 45 Consulates in said country, their contact information you can find in this publication. Identify your Consulate and trust it/depend on it.
Page 4-5 (Original Spanish Pages 4-5)
Crossing a river may be very dangerous, especially if you cross alone and at night. Heavy clothing increases its weight when it gets wet and this may make swimming or floating difficult.
Page 6-7 (Original Spanish Pages 6-7)
If you cross the desert, be sure to walk in hours when the heat is not so intense. The highways and towns are very far away, so it will take various days to find roads and you will not be able to carry food and water that long; you may even get lost. Water with salt helps retain body liquids. Even though it will make you more thirsty, if you drink water with salt, the risk of dehydration is much less. The symptoms of dehydration are: Little or no sweat.	Dryness in the eyes and mouth. Headache. Tiredness or excessive exhaustion Difficulty in walking or reasoning. Hallucinations and mirages. If you get lost, follow power cables, train tracks or secondary roads.
Page 8-9 (Original Spanish Pages 8-9)
BE CAREFUL WITH "POLLEROS", "COYOTES" AND "PATEROS" They can trick you into believing that they can get you across the border in a few hours through mountains or deserts. This isn't true! They can risk your life leading you through rivers, dangerous canals, desert areas, train tracks, or freeways. This has caused the death of hundreds of people.	If you decided to resort to "polleros", "coyotes", or "pateros" to cross the border, consider the following precautions: Don't let them out of your sight, remember that he is the only one that knows the land and, for that reason, is the one that can get you out of that place. Distrust everyone who offers to get you to the "other side" and asks you to drive a vehicle or to carry a package for him. Usually the
Page 10-11 (Original Spanish Pages 10-11)
packages contain drugs or other prohibited substances. For this reason, many people have ended up in jail. If you transport other people you may be confused with a "pollero" or "coyote", and they can accuse you of the crime of traficking of people or automobile theft. Do not give your children to strangers that offer to get them into the United States.
Page 12-13 (Original Spanish Pages 12-13)
DON'T USE FALSE DOCUMENTS OR DOCUMENTS THAT DON'T BELONG TO YOU, AND DON'T DECLARE FALSE NATIONALITY If you try to enter with false documents o documents that belong to another person, keep the following in mind: The use of false documents or documents belonging to someone else is a federal crime in the United States, for which they can process you legally and you may end up in jail; also if you declare a false name or say you are a citizen of the United States, when you aren't. Do not lie to American customs officials or at checkpoints.
Page 14-15 (Original Spanish Pages 14-15)
IF YOU ARE DETAINED Do not resist arrest. Do not threaten or insult the officer. Don't throw rocks or objects at the officer nor at the patrol cars, as this is considered a provacation of the officers.	If the officers feel threatened, it is probable that they will use force to detain you. Raise your hands slowly so that they can see you are not armed. Don't carry any object in your hands which could be considered a weapon, such as: flashlight, screwdriver, jackknives, knives, or rocks.
Page 16-17 (Original Spanish Pages 16-17)
Don't run or try to escape. Don't hide in dangerous places. Don't cross highspeed freeways. It is better that they detain you for a few hours and that you are returned to Mexico, than that you get lost in the desert.	IF YOU ARE DETAINED, YOU HAVE RIGHTS! Give your real name. If you are a minor and you came with an adult, tell the authorities so that you are not separated.
Page 18-19 (Original Spanish Pages 18-19)
Your rights are: Know where you are. Ask that they allow you to communicate with a representative of the closest Mexican Consultate, so that you may receive help. Don't make statements or sign documents, especially if they are in English, without the assistance of a defense lawyer or representative of the Mexican Consulate.	Receive medical attention if you are hurt or in poor health. Be respected and receive dignified treatment, regardless of your migratory status. Be transported in a safe manner. Have water and food whenever you need it. You are not required to state your migratory status when you are detained.
Page 20-21 (Original Spanish Pages 20-21)
Not to be hit or insulted. Not to be left without communication. If they take your things, ask for a receipt so that you may recover them when you are released. Any violation of these rights, it is important that you inform your lawyer or a representative of the Mexican Consulate that visits you; or the closest office of the Secretary of Foreign Relations within Mexican territory. If you want more information and live in Texas, United States or Ciudad Acuña, Coahuilla, tune in to "The Poderosa" on 1570 AM.
Page 22-23 (Original Spanish Pages 22-23)
IF YOU ARE DETAINED If you were already sentenced for some crime or you find yourself facing a criminal proceeding in some jail, you have the following rights: Not to be discriminated against by policy, judicial, or jail authorities. Receive visits from Consulate officials and your family. Receive the appropriate legal aid without that aid being based on any conditions and without obstruction. If you are facing criminal prosecution and you haven't been sentenced yet, ask your lawyer of the representative from the Consulate, what the terms of the "Plea Agreement" are.	Don't plead guilty without first asking your lawyer about the probability of winning your case in a trial. It is important that you know the lawys of the state of the American Union in which you live and work, because the laws are different in each one of them. Keep the following information in mind: If you drink don't drive, because without documents you may be detained and deported. If you are a legal resident and are stopped more than twice for driving under the influence, you may be deported. Don't drive without a license. Obey traffic signs and use a seatbelt. Don't drive without auto insurance and don't accept driving an unknown vehicle.
Page 24-25 (Original Spanish Pages 24-25)
Do not allow strangers to ride in your car. If the driver commits some traffic violation and you are stopped by the police, put your hands on the steering wheel and don't get out of the car until the officer asks you to. Avoid calling attention to yourself, at least while you are in the process of getting your documents in order to live in the United States.	The best formula is to not change work or domestic routine. Avoid loud parties, the neighbors can be bothered and call the police, and you can be arrested. Avoid getting involved in fights. If you go to a bar and a fight breaks out, stay away, because in the confusion you could be arrested even though you haven't done anything. Avoid family or domestic violence. Just like in Mexico, it is a crime in the United States.
Page 26-27 (Original Spanish Pages 26-27)
Domestic violance isn't just hitting, it is also threats, shouting, or mistreatment. If you are accused of domestic violence against your children or spouse or some other person that lives with you, you can go to jail. Besides, the authorities of Child Protective Services (CPS) can take your children away from you. Don't carry firearms, knives, or other dangerous objects. Keep in mind that many Mexicans have died or have gone to prison for this.	If the police enter your house or apartment, don't resist, but ask for their "Search Warrant". It is better to cooperate, and ask to communicate with the closest Mexican Consulate.
Page 28-29 (Original Spanish Pages 28-29)
The Secretary of Foreign Relations has 45 consular representations in the interior and along the southern border of the United States of America, whose function is to help you. Remember: If you have been detained or you find yourself serving a sentence, you have the right to communicate with the closest Mexican consulate. Carry your "Guide to Consular Protection" with you always. Trust/get closer to your Consulate... Trust/get closer to Mexico. It's your home, countryman!	This page contains contact information for Consulates in the United States. See original version for details.
Page 30-31 (Original Spanish Pages 30-31)
This page contains contact information for Consulates in the United States. See original version for details.	This page contains contact information for Migrant offices in Mexico. See original version for details.
Page 32-33 (Original Spanish Pages 32-33)
This page contains contact information for Migrant offices in Mexico. See original version for details.	This page contains contact information for Migrant offices in Mexico. See original version for details.
Page 34 (Original Spanish Pages 34)
This page contains contact information for Migrant offices in Mexico. See original version for details. This page also contains the following text: This guide to consular protection does not promote the crossing of Mexicans without the legal documentation required by the government of the United States; its object is to make known the risks that this suggests, and inform about the rights of migrants regardless of their legal residence.