A call for the reform of the United States immigration policies has come from U.S. and Mexican border governors. Their calls were made at the close of a border governors meeting in New Mexico.
However, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has said that it is unrealistic to think that Congress will act on such a hot political issue before the November general election.
In a joint statement released by the governors they said they "recognize the need for comprehensive immigration reform…based on the fundamental premise of respecting the human dignity and human rights of individuals being repatriated."
Richard said he hopes that the groundwork for new legislation could be laid after the general election and that that immigration reform would become a priority for Congress in the New Year.
Speaking at a press conference Richardson said "There has to be a national effort, and it's really up to Democrats and Republicans alike. It's not just a partisan issue."
He said that any new legislation should have a tougher stance on businesses who hired undocumented workers. Richardson also said that it should focus on a path to legalization for immigrants who learn English, pay back taxes and a fine.
The joint governor's statement said that there is a "lack of coordination, information exchange and joint activities" on border security by the U.S. and Mexican federal governments. They called for improvements on border crossings to improve the flow of international trade.
Richardson said "We want dialogue not division". He pointed out how important their meeting was despite the ongoing tension over Arizona's immigration law.
Sonora Gov. Guillermo Padres Elias said "This meeting clearly shows the political maturity that we have."
The meeting was set to take place in Phoenix however Arizona Governor Jan Brewer canceled the event due to a planned boycott by Mexican governors, over Arizona's new immigration law. The governors of Texas and Arizona did not attend Monday's meeting.
Richardson was the only United States governor to attend along with six governors of Mexican states. Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado of California filled in for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Monsoonman | Sep 23, 2010, 10:32 AM EDT
Yes they are all mexican politicians wanting to shape US policy, very astute observance.
plasticpaddy | Sep 22, 2010, 11:24 PM EDT
At least some politicians are considering the issue with some level of actual thought and compassion!
maloney | Sep 22, 2010, 10:56 PM EDT
This article is a JOKE as is the person who wrote it. It was an all mexican gathering, tacos all around.
SeamusRua | Sep 22, 2010, 03:10 PM EDT
Dear Watchman, you guessed wrong.
Monsoonman | Sep 22, 2010, 11:08 AM EDT
"Richardson was the only United States governor to attend" Yes the corrupt democrat governor of New mexico was the ONLY US border state governor to attend this dog and pony show, yet you wouldn't know that by reading the irish Central headlines. The main states being flooded by illegal aliens, Texas, Arizona and California didn't have their governors attend. The only shill for the illegal alien/obama lobby, was richardson.
bronxjames | Sep 22, 2010, 10:41 AM EDT
I saw a show on Discovery channel just last week. The mexicans were celebrating something and said how they love their country....GOOD THEN STAY THE HE-- THERE!!!!
Watchman | Sep 22, 2010, 10:29 AM EDT
The reason you are running this story is, of course, that any relaxation of the rules on immigration might just help the undocumented Irish. Irish Central is filled with this kind of thinking. It's as if the whole of U.S. government policy has to be refracted through the green prism of Irish interest. But here's a thing: most Irish-Americans would (I would guess) favor greater indulgence by the INS of would-be Irish immigrants. But those same Irish-Americans, on the whole (and we have seen this in the context of the Arizona debate), are strongly opposed to any increase in the number of Mexicans admitted to the U.S. They should remember that what's sauce for the Wild Geese is salsa for the ganderos.
bunchesofun | Sep 22, 2010, 09:07 AM EDT
They are not "undocumented workers", they are "Illegal aliens". They are here illegally. They bipassed the legal route which many wait years to take. They do not deserve to be on a "fast track" to legality. They need to wait it out, in their own country, as those who play by the rules do.