Immigration: Problem Solved - Mexico, our 51st State!

Here's the best solution to the US Immigration problem:

Instead of giving away the right for illegals to remain legally within the US borders, let's face reality. Mexico is not an island, detached from the US mainland. Things would be much easier if it were.

Granting amnesty to those already here will not stop the crossings. Border patrols, the National Guard, walls - there's nothing alone or together "in concert" which can stop the flow of people illegally into this country from Mexico.

The flow of people is not the problem - it is a symptom of a problem.

We'll be revisiting the issue again in less than ten years and we'll be looking at another 8-12 million people. Only next time the numbers will include temporary foreign workers brought into the country on H class visas. I say this because congress will somehow add the requested 400,000 H class visas to the current immigration reform package.

There's only one real solution - and it WILL solve all the problems in one, fell swoop.

Mexico must become the 51st state of the United States of America.

Seriously - think about it - follow through this with me first before you condemn it.

Mexicans' sense of nationality will erupt against such an action. They won't want to give up their national identity - until we point out just a few of the benefits for our new US Citizens:

• You'll be an American citizen and you'll get all the rights - the "whole enchilada".
• You'll be able to return to your hometown and earn the same wages you'd earn in the states - and most likely, a whole lot more. After all, you'd be legal - anywhere in the US.
• Of course, people from the other 50 states would have a right to live, work and prosper anywhere within the 51st state too. But you, or your family, already own land in Mexico - right?
• The problems within Mexico's current gov't structure would evaporate within days, weeks at most. Why? US Law would be coming to town. Every US Federal agency would locate within Mexico in the first few weeks - think of it. Corruption would be put on a horse and run out of town.
• No more "el presidente" - instead, there would be a governor. And believe you me, those elections would be monitored for years to come. And as a bonus - the Mexican politicians would have to conform to US law or face fines and possible jail.
• American (and world) investment in Mexico would skyrocket. Imagine the potential for investment in every aspect of society. Real estate, manufacturing, infrastructure; social, legislative, judicial - on and on - and on! Every possible aspect of modern life would flow into Mexico.
• Federal matching funds alone would stimulate Mexico - it would be one helluva shot into Mexico's bloodstream. Imagine the freeway, state and secondary road projects alone! Hundreds of billions, perhaps trillions of dollars would be invested.
• Drug smugglers, coyotes and other criminal elements would be major US targets in the first year of statehood. They would be prosecuted or driven from the state. Period.
  

The benefits just keep pouring into this deal. Liberals would be all for it - they'd able to not only throw cash at the problem, they could live amidst the 51st state's population and really get something done ;-).

Mexico would be looking at an incredible upward growth for years and years to come.

And what about benefits to the US?

• The Federal border problem moves a long ways away. The neighboring states will have regular state-controlled border entry points where there are currently Federal crossings.
• The Federal gov't would move its border control to the waters east and west of Mexico. They'd also move their land-based border patrols much farther south; to a smaller border with Guatemala and Belize. A border far more maintainable.
• Tax income from the new citizens.
• Savings within the Border Patrol and the Immigration-related branches of the US gov't.
• The DEA would gain the same benefits (A & B) and therefore need less money to operate.
• Nafta for Mexico would evaporate when Mexico became the 51st state.
• Untapped natural resources (oil, minerals, land).
• The Colorado could be uncorked and water could flow into our newest state, stimulating agircultural growth. (A benefit to Mexico as well).

And look at the anguish it would save both sides.

No more need to quantify individuals as illegals. The only true illegals from this point forward would be entering from either Mexican coast or the southern Guatemala/Belize border - which can easily be militarized - or at the least, controlled. Why that alone could be a huge construction project.

Some preliminary legal work would be required; reviewing current incarcerated individuals (people in jail), current outstanding court cases, all such things of a legal nature. And a date would need to be chosen for all current cases to finish.

IMHO its a win/win situation and one worthy of mentioning to the US and Mexican population.

Why do it? By doing it, we're adressing the real problem and not the symptoms. A better life would be had by ALL Mexicans instead of just those willing to break US immigration law, risking fines, jail and the possibility they could never become legal.

Who would be against it?

Only those having a vested interest in cheap, Mexican labor - everyone else would be for it.

And don't worry about Mexicans leaving Mexico in droves. IMHO, that's unlikely. Even if they did, think about the millions who would flow south to take their place. Arizona would no longer be the best place to retire, now would it? :-)

Think about it - and pass it on! And remember - Hawaii was once an island nation.

And for those who are against it:
We (the Federal government) ought to consider building a 750 mile long, 1/2mile wide and 500 foot deep moat between Mexico and the US.

It would work far better than a wall - and you could easily patrol it with watercraft: jet skis, small boats, heck - with a 500 foot draft, you could run light cruisers up and down the moat!