[QUOTE=CBEscapee]
They get a tourist pass. Far different from a visa. All you have to do is show proof of US citizenship. Obtained upon entering the country whether you cross at the border or at another destination further inland.
[/QUOTE]
It’s true that Mexico does have a “Tourist card” and a “tourist visa”. The difference is not great- a “card” is a form of visa for all intents and purposes. Generally, US visitors get a Card rather than a Visa.
http://www.learn4good.com/travel/mexico_visa.htm
"TOURIST CARD
Available only to people entering Mexico on holiday, for reasons of health, or to engage in scientific, artistic or sporting activities which are neither remunerative nor lucrative. Valid for the holder only.
Other persons (including minors) travelling on the same passport must have their own card. The card is a single-entry document and is issued free of charge. The Consular office retains the right to request further evidence of the applicant’s intention to visit Mexico as a tourist whenever such intention has not been established to the Consul’s satisfaction.
The same right applies with regard to evidence of the applicant’s financial means to sustain him/herself while in Mexico.
Note:
(a) Visitors eligible for Tourist Cards can be issued with Tourist Cards by any Mexican Consulate, on board the plane or at the point of entry in Mexico.
(b) Tourist Cards must be kept by the visitor during the entire length of stay as they will have to be presented and stamped on leaving.What documents will be required?
In all cases the following will be required:
Valid passport
Round trip ticket
Depending on nationality and/or visa requirements, the following may also be required:
Completed application form
3 passport size photos
Transcript of grades
Tourist Cards:
(a) Passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity.
(b) If applying by post, a covering letter giving dates of entry and departure. Postal applications must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope for recorded or registered delivery.
(c) Return or onward ticket.
(d) Proof of sufficient funds if staying for up to 6 months."
Visas require about the same, except there is a small fee. Note that the “tourist card” is not there for dudes to visit family or to look for work, get jobs, or anything work related: “Available only to people entering Mexico on holiday, for reasons of health, or to engage in scientific, artistic or sporting activities which are neither remunerative nor lucrative.”
As to Mexicos borders to it’s south, that has been discussed in Congress:
http://www.capitolweekly.net/news/article.html?article_id=762
“This is to point out the hypocrisy of Mexico’s statements,” Hollingsworth
said. He added, “There is not a lot we can do without backing of the federal
government.”
The source of that “hypocrisy” lies in Mexico’s 1917 constitution. While it
does include one of the same controversial clauses as the U.S.
Constitution–that anyone born on the country’s soil is automatically granted
citizenship–those not born in the country face severe restrictions that
immigrants to the United States do not.
For instance, Article 33 states that foreigners may be deported without any
legal recourse: “Federal Executive shall have the exclusive power to compel
any foreigner whose remaining he may deem inexpedient to abandon the
national territory immediately and without the necessity of previous legal
action.” It also states that, “Foreigners may not in any way participate in
the political affairs of the country.”
Mexicans are also legally given priority over foreigners for employment.
Even naturalized foreigners cannot serve in the military; they also lose
their Mexican citizenship if they move back to their “country of origin” for
over five years.
…According to a fact sheet distributed by Hollingsworth’s office, “Mexico
routinely fills 10 or 12 buses a day with undocumented Central Americans,”
deporting 240,000 last year alone. It claims Mexico has legalized only
15,000 migrants in the past five years.
Meanwhile, it said, “Mexico has been demanding that the U.S. ignore, alter
or abolish its own immigration laws,” even while illegally immigrating into
Mexico is a felony. It added that, “Migrants in the United States have held
huge demonstrations demanding more rights.” …
A representative from the Mexican government did not return multiple phone
calls seeking comment for this article. " (italics mine) Note the huge wave of protests here in the USA by Mexican nationals when it was proposed that the USA make illegally immigrating into the USA a felony. :rolleyes: That’s the very definition of hypocrisy.
As to the Mexican economy, it has a wealth of natural resources, including scads of oil. However, the nation is dependent upon Mexicans moving to America (legally or illegaly) and sending cash back home. That source of cash is somewhere in the top 3, along with oil sales and drug sales. In other words, it seems to me that without America sending $$ to Mexco through “money sent home” drug sales or buying oil, Mexico’s economy would collapse overnite. Of course Fox wants more of his people to be allowed entry into America- it lowers his crowding problem and shores up his economy!
Indeed, America does buy the drugs. But it’s Mexican corrurption, not American corruption that allows the flow of drugs into the USA:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=5598
"Occasionally, the federal government of Mexico temporarily deployed the military and federal police officers to maintain order against trafficker-generated violence in highly impacted cities. But more often than not Mexican military – or those posing as military – provide protection for the traffickers and drug gangs.
The so-called “Zetas” complicate matters even more. These are former Mexican military personnel and deserters, some of whom were actually trained by the United States in counter-narcotics operations.
The Fox Administration pledged an all-out effort against drug trafficking organizations, but lacks the capacity to eliminate or even control the leading cartels. The principal impediment to counter-drug success is Mexico’s inherent institutional weakness and endemic corruption. "
http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-07/2006-07-26-voa23.cfm
"Corruption has been a problem in Latin America since colonial times. Citizens have been largely tolerant of petty corruption, such as small bribes to bureaucrats and police over minor disputes or offenses, but the stakes have been raised greatly in recent decades by the billions of dollars generated in the illicit drug business. The impact has been especially strong in Mexico.
Official corruption has been an almost constant source of frustration for Mexicans. The country is still dealing with the scandal that followed the privatization of banks in the 1990s. More recent scandals have involved corrupt officials in local and state governments. Most Mexicans experience the problem on the street level with corrupt policemen who often demand a mordida or bribe in exchange for dismissing a ticket. But this is petty stuff when compared to the millions of dollars that drug traffickers distribute to corrupt police officials every year.
Mexican criminal justice expert Jorge Chabat says drug money has made its way into every corner of the law enforcement "
Not that Mexico is alone- several South American nations- Columbia and Venezuela are as bad or worse:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=8376
"On Wednesday, Mexican military officials said they seized five-and-a-half tons of powdered cocaine from a commercial aircraft that landed after a trip from Venezuela. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be upwards of $100 million.
Mexican cops reported that the cocaine was discovered inside over a hundred suitcases marked “private.” The military officers announced that they made three arrests as a result of the cocaine seizure.
Mexican officials claim that cocaine is increasingly being imported from Venezuela, with the US or Europe being the drugs’ final destination.
In this case the Mexican authorities waited for the plane to land at the airport of Ciudad de Carmen, about 550 miles east of Mexico City, after being tipped off by Interpol. The co-pilot of the aircraft was arrested. The pilot and co-pilot of another plane, which was believed to be ready to take the cocaine on to the next location, were also detained.
A Drug Enforcement Administration report last month indicted that Venezuela has become a key transshipment point for narcotics due to “rampant corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement and a weak judicial system”. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez terminated joint anti-drug operation with United States drug agents from the DEA. The paranoid president accused DEA agents of being spies.
The enormous amount of corruption within the Venezuelan government coupled with its president’s seizure and control of the press has made the country ripe for the transit of illegal drugs and other contraband. No journalist in Venezuela who wants to remain out of prison or worse will report on the corruption, drug trade, crime or any other issue that would embarrass the Chavez government."
