Ex Mex: From Migrants to Immigrants

A well written piece from a former Mexican cabinet member. Thorough, engaging, and reliable information. Gracias, Senor Castaneda; me gusta su libro!

As Castaneda had inside access to the intricate negotiations (and sometimes, lack of negotiations) concerning the border issues, he has insights that are valuable and illuminating. He also does a good job with the broader historical sweep of the immigration issue, emphasizing the principle of "circularity" - where traditionally, migrants came across the U.S. border, worked, then returned home. He shows how a number of factors have altered this traditional pattern: Reagan's " Amnesty" legislation, NAFTA, the Immigration Reform Bill of 1996; and more recently, the impact of 9/11. The net result of all these variables being an increase in illegal immigration, and the tendency not to return. On the above issues, he supplies an overview that is lacking in the usual critiques and more hysterical media reporting. Unfortunately, it is somewhat cumbersome reading while extracting those points. The book lacks judicious breakdowns on the topics, and the writing is awkward, with excessively long paragraphs and other structural difficulties. Nevertheless, and though I think he underestimates the impact of NAFTA on increased immigration, it is still an informative contribution to the immigration discussion with solid statistical support and evidence to bolster his arguments.

Jorge Castenada is the former foreign minister of Mexico and provides a clear view of the Mexican position on US-Mexican relations at the start of the Bush presidency, as well as a long-range perspective on the relationship of the two countries. This is a sensitive and well-written review of negotiations (that never did seem all that serious on the US side) as well as reviewing what the government of Mexico has done to make conditions more humane for its citizens. Unlike many books on the subject, this is not a rant, but rather is a must-read for those who would like more facts and less emotion. There are many and varied approaches that can be taken to cross-border immigration, some harsh and some humane, and this book shows the humanity and reality of what is going on, and that there are ways to work with Mexico--if we but had the political coherence and will--to substantially resolve many of the problems that exist at and on both sides of the border.