If Americans Bought More Goods Produced In Mexico Would That Help The Immigration Situation?

[Baruch]

We often hear and think 'buy American', but if Americans bought Mexican would that improve the Mexican economy enough to slow illegal immigration into the US?

[udale10]

Interesting question. Since the implementation of NAFTA we have gone from a fairly even balance of trade with Mexico In '94 to an enormous deficit. Currently we buy about $50 billion more from Mexico than we export. I'm not sure we could stand to ship even more of our money to Mexicohttp://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c2010.html   Jaxk 11 months ago http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c2010.html

[Mamoon]

It's in America's best interests to keep as many Americans working as possible. It is also in America's best interests that those workers be paid a living wage. The reason illegal immigrants are ALLOWED to enter the United States is that they depress wages. Once wages have been depressed, the claim is circulated that these immigrants are necessary because they do work Americans don't want. The current recession is SO severe and SO lingering in large part because unlike past recessions there is no longer an industrial base capable of offering middle class employment.   stanleybmanly 11 months ago

[Oswell]

Actually the thing that seems to have slowed illegal immigration is our stagnant economy. The worse it gets the less we see. NAFTA was supposed to grow both our and that of Mexico. As it turns out we are complaining that it has cost us jobs. Canada is complaining of the same thing. Mexico seems to have grown very few jobs as a result. At least according to the link supplied by ibstubro.If you're talking about buying from Mexico instead of China I see no problem with that. Unfortunately they aren't making the same goods nor competing directly for our dollars. Mexico has a variety of problems including the drug violence and corruption. They need to address those problems if they want industry to expand there. They also need to do something about thier corrupt education system which leaves more than half without even a high school education. What is surprising is that they spend a sufficient amount on education but corruption seems to drain away the resources. Another reason why Mexicans might find the US appealing.Basically I think the problems in Mexico run much deeper than just buying more from Mexico would fix. And of course I do worry about our balance of trade.   Jaxk 11 months ago

[jaren12]

$5 a day is a LOT of money in Mexico. I used to work for a company of engineers who's President toured the Nike plant. There was a waiting list of over 6000 people waiting for jobs there.I have a friend who came here from Mexico. I have no idea if he is illegal or not, and don't care. He works days at Panera Bread, nights at Joes Crab Shack, and saved his money to buy a truck so he could do home improvement jobs on the weekend.He and his two brothers rent a one bedroom apt. They sleep on mattresses on the floor. They have a card table and folding chairs. Their prize possession is a washer and dryer.When he got his little truck(rusted, but running) he brought it for me to see. He was so proud. He told me it only took 6 months to save the money for it - and in Mexico it would have taken 5 years.To them, the life they have is the promised land.   TurboB 11 months ago

[Cearnach]

true!   stanleybmanly 11 months ago

[Linwood]

The thing is that we will NEED guest workers when the economy is growing. And that will be very soon.   Gary4books 11 months ago

[booth2]

That's a good question, which I will ask him the next time I talk to him. He and his brothers were the exception to the rule, I believe. They have no family left in Mexico, and no ties there.The people who work in the Nike factory most likely are not only supporting themselves and their immediate families, but extended family, as well.I have been across the border via California. The conditions are horrible. There are dead animals, trash, old mattresses, etc piled on the river bed and down the middle of the street. People struggle to make a living selling things to tourists. There are no set prices - you bargain.Small children still sell the tiny one piece boxes of Chicklets gum out of cigar boxes on the street corners. THe toilets ar eopen pits dug behind buildings. I can say this. If I had to live like that, I would be trying, every day, to get into America.   TurboB 11 months ago