Mexico to give maps to illegal immigrants

Immigration and our Borders Forum

MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AP) -- -- A Mexican government commission said Tuesday it will distribute at least 70,000 maps showing highways, rescue beacons and water tanks in the Arizona desert to curb the death toll among illegal border crossers.

The National Human Rights Commission, a government-funded agency with independent powers, denied the maps -- similar to a comic-style guide booklet Mexico distributed last year -- would encourage illegal immigration.

Officials said the maps would help guide those in trouble too rescue beacons and areas with cell phone reception. The maps will also show the distance a person can walk in the desert in a single day. (Watch the debate over making the maps public -- 2:00)

"We are not trying in any way to encourage or promote migration," said Mauricio Farah, one of the commission's national inspectors. "The only thing we are trying to do is warn them of the risks they face and where to get water, so they don't die."

Russ Knocke, a spokesman for the U.S. Homeland Security Department, questioned whether the maps would keep those crossing the border safer.

"It is not helpful for anyone, no matter how well intended they might be, to produce road maps that lead aliens into the desolate and dangerous areas along the border, and potentially invite criminal activity, human exploitation and personal risk," he said.

link to rest of article

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/ameri...p.ap/index.html

they just tell them to go North. Mexico needs to take care of their people instead of shooing them over the border.

Exactly... I'm tired of having to take care of others. We can't even get decent insurance, and yet, we just give it away to them.

Just curious, how many Mexicans actually die from this trip?

In California, they find at least 20 a year. The numbers get high some years depending on the weather. I looked it up, in El Centro Ca= desert, 2001 saw a high of 95 deaths.

Well, if they would IMPROVE the way of life in Mexico, the people wouldn't want to leave, and we wouldn't have this problem with people coming here, that shouldn't be here.

Exactly Kris. We can't employ everyone that wants to come here. It is costing our country more than we can afford to spend. It is ruining our health care systems, public schools.......

You know, this country is wayyyyyy too lenient with illegals. I went to India along time ago, when I was at least thirteen. I went with my eighth grade class to learn about Indian culture. When we went there, we saw the border between Pakistan and India. We were driving in a tourist van and I happened to notice that the guards were armed with deadly weapons. We were told that people who attempted to climb over the border were shot immediately.

What would happen if the United States government felt the same way? What would happen if we discovered that our tactics for discouraging illegal immigration were not working and we decided that the only way to scare the illegals would be to kill them?

Because the United State's government isn't insane - that's why they don't shoot people for climbing a fence.

They're just showing these people where to get water and possibly call INS to pick them up if they can't make it. I don't want to get into a big immigration debate, for those on here who are so attached to pets I don't see how human life can be so easily discarded. Just a thought...

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Well, glad to see we have a bonified Dr. Doolittle here.

It's really easy to cast dispersions and scoff at the plight of those who have it worse than us. I used to do it. By no stretch am I saying that the borders should be open and let them all in, far from it.

But if we're talking about something as simple as survival maps being issued to people who already know which way they are going, I don't know if it's entirely wrong. They already know to go north. It’s not like they are trying to find Atlantis. If a map can save a sickly woman or some kid from dying in a 30 mile hike in 120 degree weather by showing them where there is water or a phone to go back, freakin' give it to them. Or maybe to even the score I'll start taking out a few stray cats with my car on the way home. But no, that would be "inhumane."

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I fail to see your point.

Walk a mile in their shoes, figuratively of course, then let's chat a little more

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Simple point, yes, but it's not a matter of knowing if you can survive such a trek. They don't know. They take that risk and are prepared to suffer the consequences. That shoe fillin' I spoke of before would help one better understand that.

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The Mexican government ought to hand out a little something to inform them that they would be better off to not risk their lives and not break the law, instead of handing out maps and booklets that encourage them to take the risk, and inform them about how to scam our system as an aid to survival.

Yeah, those vermin. So below us is so many ways. Man, so glad to know there are so many better people here. Good times

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