Mexico is cracking down on illegal immigrants...coming in from Central America, to their own country. I think you were expecting to read this differently. So was I. Are you disapointed? I was, but what else is new? Of course this sentence wasn't going to end as Mexico cracking down on illegal immigrants sneaking over into the U.S. So why are they cracking down on illegals from Central America? It appears that too many of them are taking over Mexican jobs.
Ironically (or maybe not), last year Mexico was even reported to have distributed maps to its citizens that revealed the least dangerous illegal routes to the United States. Surprised? I'm not. You probably weren't either.
So what's going on, so far, to curb the illegal immigration into the U.S.? It appears that the United States must be able to show stronger, more long-term enforcement of the borders, and must more severely punish the crime of illegal hiring of these migrants. Until that happens, congress defends that new laws and crack-downs will do little to change the problem.
The Bush administration has made some high-profile raids on businesses involved in illegal hire. They sent 6,000 national Guard troops to the border, doubled the number of patrol agents in Arizona, and added more helicopters, fencing, ground sensors, and detention centers. They've also been more serious about procedures for returning illegals home. As a result, many Mexicans have gotten the message, and there has been a noticeable drop in arrests - by more than 25%.
Unfortunately, last week, the federal government had to postpone enforcements of the 2005 Real ID Act by as much as 20 months. (Ouch!). This act would require states to adopt secure driver's licenses for anyone in their state, in order to spot illegal aliens and terrorists. Another target of this act is to reduce identity fraud. Congress defends, again, that they can't really make much difference with this act until previous laws have been more clearly and strongly enforced.