Immigration and terrorism: a Mexican perspective

Even before President George Bush and President Vicente Fox had assumed office, they inaugurated a joint initiative to deepen and broaden the network of ties that bind together our two countries. This work was moving rapidly ahead and our governments' efforts to advance a new bilateral agenda were beginning to bear fruit.

Indeed, in the days before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, our nations seemed to be on the threshold of a tremendous breakthrough that would enhance the economic gains of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for the mutual benefit of the citizens of both our nations.

The terrorist attacks have stopped the advances in migratory regularization for many Mexicans living in the United States. We should move forward with drafting a new program that would recognize the importance of immigration and would completely convert it into a legal, safe, equally beneficial and much more humane system.

Far from being an obstacle in combating terrorism, migratory reform should be an essential instrument in order to be successful in this very justified international struggle.

In this respect, we should remember that Mexicans and Americans share much more than a 2,000-mile border. We share a deep commitment to peace, democracy, security, prosperity and freedom. And we share the opportunity to improve our common welfare by moving ahead on the work begun two years ago to deepen our bilateral relationship.

A new migration agreement, as a core part of a broader bilateral agenda, is critical to both countries.

We live in perilous times. That peril makes renewing our commitment to defining a new and forward-looking bilateral relationship even more urgent. A report recently issued by the Cato Institute, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C., argued "legalization of Mexican migration would drain a large part of the underground swamp that facilitates illegal immigration."

Regularizing the status of Mexican workers would allow U.S. authorities to know exactly who is in the United States, leaving less room for terrorists to hide. This is not only compatible with a security-driven agenda; it is essential to it.

Jorge Madrazo is the consul of Mexico in Seattle.