Mexican Immigration Not a "Problem"

Dear editor: 

Mexican-to-the-U.S. a fairly recent “problem?”  Not hardly, and historically not really a “problem.”  When we need it, it’s wonderful.  When we don’t need it, it’s a “problem.” 

In the early 20^th century when there was a shortage of Japanese workers for mining, agriculture and railroad industries, we recruited Mexican labor with promises of high wages, bonuses, transportation and lodging.  Immigration zoomed to almost 750,000 in 1929 and we selfishly deducted all those promises from their wages.  And then came the Great Depression. 

From 1929 to 1939 469,000 Mexicans were expelled from our country due to the shortage of jobs for native born Americans.  And then came World War II. 

With so many young Americans fighting overseas the demand for Mexican labor once again blossomed.  The Bracero Program gave Mexican workers access to temporary U.S. visas.  In 1945 the program brought in 50,000 Mexican guest workers and by 1956 it was up to 445,000, all legal.  And then came the end of the Bracero Program in 1965.  Permits dropped to 1,725 in 1979 and the era of “undocumented migration” began.  Border apprehensions rose to 1.7 million in 1986, but even as “illegals” increased millions returned to Mexico for a zero growth of undocumented workers. 

In 1986 the U.S. militarized the border with Mexico and with the North American Free Trade Agreement, trade between the two countries increased eightfold. Prior to that (in 1980) 46% of undocumented Mexican migrants returned to Mexico within 12 months.  By 2007 that was down to 7%.  That’s when the population exploded.

It’s like a bouncing ball for people needing work.  When we need cheap labor we welcome them with open arms.  But when things tighten, like during the recent recession, we have a “problem.”   

In recent years the net inflow has fallen to zero.  Some of the decline is due to the U.S. recession and some is due to an improving Mexican economy and rising wages.  Listening to some politicians you’d think waves of people are crossing the border.  But in actuality illegal immigration zeroed out four years ago. 

It is time for us to find a permanent and lasting solution for these people who want to earn a living wage, raise their children and become a part of our great country, just like all those waves of migrants that came from Europe, Asia and Africa.  We have to stop the bouncing ball and remember where we all came from and why we came here.