Here's another twist to the 'illegal immigration' arguement.

[sinkingfeeling]

There's an estimated 1 million Americans living and working in Mexico.

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=453c86803c12894d7fd5a9ebd1814b15

American Immigrants Flooding Mexico?

SAN DIEGO -- There is a big immigration problem that has been growing year after year. An increasing number of American citizens are moving to Mexico, and some of them are even becoming undocumented workers. Even worse, they are refusing to assimilate and are even insisting on retaining their U.S. citizenship.

The assimilation problem hasn’t gotten any better either. In a recent article entitled “Illegal Gringos,” the Los Angeles Times reported that San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, has many retired baby boomers moving into town, a number of whom are performing work without a permit or license. It’s obvious that they’re not even bothering to learn Spanish because there is an expatriate newspaper oriented toward them that is written in English. Yes, you read that right — a local English-language newspaper in the heart of Mexico for Americans living there!

There are undoubtedly some people who are condemning all this as something despicable, perhaps even immoral. “I think it’s horrible that they’ve retained allegiance to the United States,” they no doubt are saying. “They should become Mexican citizens. Why aren’t they assimilating? Why aren’t they learning Spanish? They’re taking jobs away from Mexicans. They’re still flying the American flag, and they’re singing the Star Spangled Banner. They’re celebrating the Fourth of July more than the Cinco de Mayo. Worst of all, they’re actually rooting for American sports teams rather than Mexican ones. Something needs to be done about these people!”

[donco6]

1. The Horror!

I just had a letter to the editor complaining about all the Spanish this person heard at some restaurant. I think of the times I've been to Playa and all the English I've heard all around me. Mostly from the waiters speaking to American touristas who are too lazy to learn any Spanish. Sheesh.

[Igel]

3. Sounds a bit like Prague in the early/mid '90s.

Lots of Americans, refusing to learn English, taking up rental units and even establishing their own American-style businesses, English bookstores, etc.

The response?

Completely reprehensible. They cracked down on illegal immigrants and those working illegally, and instituted a dual price system for many things. Tourists are fine, but residents ... nah.

They even stupidly said it was something about 'sovereignty' and 'stealing Czech jobs', even things about 'arrogance' and 'condescension to the native values and language' before they actually did the horrible thing and enforced their laws.

So, the Americans in Mexico ... illegal immigrants, right? And the government wants them out? Ah ... probably not.

[SharonAnn]

2. LOL! I was just there over Christmas and New Years and noticed the large "gringo" colony.

Actually, the colony is pretty much the whole city. It's a beautiful area in the mountains, great weather and clear skies, beautiful architecture, and an atmostphere something like perhaps Taos? Kind of an artistic haven.

Frankly, it looked like a great place to live, at least for a while.

And yes, it was one of the few places in Mexico where I could get a daily, English language newspaper.

[KurtNYC]

4. while many construction jobs in the US are done by undocumented immigrants

the reconstruction jobs in Iraq are done by Americans.

Many of the same people who are so upset by the "invasion" of America by people who want to work, love the invasion of Iraq. It's a crazy world.

[UTUSN]

5. Sort of like Tejas pre-1836. Stealing it fair and square. n/t