Some Mexicans fear threat to way of life with rapid growth of American residents

12:00 AM CST on Sunday, March 1, 2009

Alfredo Corchado

Not everyone is rolling out the welcome mat to Americans. Many Mexicans complain about the rapid growth of the American population in their neighborhoods, the threat they see to Mexican culture and language, and the possible drain on Mexico's inexpensive health care.

In San Miguel de Allende, the group Basta Ya is protesting the erosion of the language and the rising cost of living generated by the infusion of dollars into the local economy.

"They think Mexico, especially San Miguel de Allende, is an extension of their country," group member Arturo Morales Tirado said of the Americans who call San Miguel home. "It's not and won't be, no way."

Others are fuming over what they consider to be the privatization of beach land. Under Mexican law, beaches are federal land and are open to the public.

A group of women in Nayarit state routinely demonstrates against posh hotels, some of which assign armed guards to keep all but guests away.

"We're not against Americans," said Marielza Izurieta Valery, president of United Women for the Banderas Bay. "We're against big corporations, many of them from the United States, taking our beaches away."

Some Americans, aware of the potential problems, are making an effort to participate more fully in their adopted country.

In San Pancho, Nicole Swedlow, a 34-year-old transplant from California and single mother of two, began a nonprofit organization aimed at building ties between Americans and Mexicans, with donations coming mostly from U.S. retirees.

"The last thing I want to see is an extension of California deep into Mexico, where Mexicans are priced out of their own communities," Ms. Swedlow said. "It's our obligation to ensure that we build bridges, learn their language and celebrate their culture. We need to learn to coexist."

Alfredo Corchado

That's been happening here in the States for 100 years....

Kind of a reverse scenario. We would want Legal Immigrants here to accept our customs and assimilate, learn the language, etc.
In Mexico, using the dollar stresses the local economies. The influx of Mexicans to the US, economically does the reverse. It drives wages down.

What's that? Can you give a little more info as to what you mean?

i know .... hence the face

Noe

i would bet most of the united states citizens in mexigo are there legally

do you think that most of the mexican citizens in the united states are in the united states legally

if not then no it is not the same thing

if I remember correctly....Mexico is strict about their citizenship laws

Foreigner Legal Rights Mexico

Most people who visit Mexico are reminded that they are giving up most of their rights from their respective countries when they cross over into the new country. The United States especially tries to teach people this because most people just assume that they are protected under the same legal system and the same laws because they haven’t really gone anywhere- I mean c’mon, Mexico isn’t too far away! When it comes to foreigner legal rights in Mexico you should have a pretty good understanding of what you can and can’t do because you may risk getting deported quickly or worst case scenario- spending time in a Mexican jail!

In the Mexican law, it says that all foreigners share the same rights as Mexican citizens. US tourists can enjoy education, medical help and other public rights. The only two exceptions are the right to own land and the right to be a part in political activity. Both are detailed below:

1. The right to own land is only for Mexican citizens! For the most part, land in Mexico is designated to Mexican citizens. There are two exceptions however: If they obtain permission from the Ministry of Foreign Relations and/ or the land is outside of a ‘restricted’ zone.

Restricted zones in Mexico refer to the strip of land 100 Km along the border and 50 Km along the coastline. Foreigners can, if they would like, purchases land or property anywhere but these restricted zones.

2. Foreigners cannot participate in political activities! It is stated very clearly in the Mexican constitution that foreigners are not allowed in any way, which or form to participate in political voting or any activities. Foreigners don’t have the right to vote, run for office or be a part of a demonstration or rally. Failure to abide by this law will either have you put in jail very quickly or deported out of Mexico.

What rights do foreigners have in Mexico? Foreigner’s legal rights in Mexico extend into medical and education. A foreigner can have free emergency medical attention if the time comes up. There is a program run by the Ministry of Health that assists foreigners in cases of emergency. The only thing a US citizen should be looking out for is that they can’t expect the kinds of treatments or facilities that they have in the United States!

When it comes to education, a foreigner has the right to put their children in any public school they see fit. A foreigner can have their children brought up in the Mexican school system for whatever reason they choose- whether they are moving to Mexico or just don’t like the school systems in the country they reside in.

Mexico has limited rights for foreigners but foreigner’s legal rights in Mexico are enough to provide safety and protection to all there. Foreigners pretty much just can’t participate in political games nor own land in restricted zones but when it comes to other cases in the Mexican constitution they are treated like Mexican citizens.

http://www.mexinsure.com/mexican-articles/legal-rights-mexico.html

The States above Texas really have no clue as how to live Mexican style.
I don't think they'd like it very well. Not with as many as are coming across now.

Lets make a deal. You stay out of my country, Ill stay out of yours. That will help my economy. If all illeagle alians were out of the U.S. There would be no unemployment. Take your illeagle drugs with you.