http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/01/05/migration.comic.ap/Mexico issues illustrated migrant guide
Critics claim book encourages illegal migration
Wednesday, January 5, 2005 Posted: 7:31 PM EST (0031 GMT)
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) -- The Mexican government is distributing a comic-book guide that warns would-be migrants about
the perils of crossing illegally into the United States and offers tips to stay safe -- enraging some advocates of stricter
immigration policies in the United States who argue the booklet encourages illegal migration.
About 1.5 million copies of the pocket-size book titled "Guide for the Mexican Immigrant" were published by Mexico\'s
Foreign Relations Department and distributed as a free supplement in comic books popular with adults that are sold
throughout the country. The booklets are also available online and at Mexican consulates in the United States.
The comic book\'s introduction shows an illustration of three men huddling by riverbank bushes accompanied by the statement,
"This guide is intended to give you some practical advice that could be of use if you already have made the difficult
decision to seek new job opportunities outside your country."
Each year, as would-be migrants start considering a trip north, the Mexican government launches radio or television
campaigns to inform them about the risks they\'ll face along the U.S.-Mexican border.
This year, the Foreign Relations Department decided to add the guide as a way of "trying to provide the information
directly" in the would-be migrants\' home communities, said Geronimo Gutierrez, the department\'s deputy secretary for
North American affairs. "Once they reach the border, it\'s very difficult for them to change their minds."
Avoiding serious injury or death
The booklet, which officials began distributing last month, explains the safest way to enter the United States is with a
U.S. visa and a Mexican passport. But it also offers tips on avoiding serious injury or death to those who have decided
to cross illegally.
On one page appears a colorful drawing of people walking in the desert near power lines, with the hint that, "If you get
lost, guide yourself with light poles, train tracks or dirt roads."
"Crossing a river can be very risky, especially if you cross alone and at night," the booklet warns. "Heavy clothing
becomes heavier when wet, and this makes swimming or floating difficult."
The book also recommends adding salt to water to avoid dehydration when making desert crossings and notes it is best
to walk during times of low heat intensity.
Critics argue the tips serve more as instructions on how to cross illegally than as a deterrent to would-be migrants.
"With this document the Mexican government not only has not instructed its citizens to obey immigration law but, in rich
detail, it has supplied a manual on how to circumvent U.S. immigration law," said John Keeley, director of communication
for the U.S.-based Center for Immigration Studies, a group that favors stricter immigration policies. "It\'s very, very
troubling."
Editorials in several U.S. papers sharply criticized the comic book. The Arizona Republic called it "an illustrated guide
to Mexico\'s domestic failures" and The Washington Times asked that the U.S. government file an official complaint.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying it had not contacted the Mexican government about the comic book, and
praised recent cooperation between the countries to improve safety along the border.
"Both the United States and the Mexican government have a strong commitment to ensuring that migration into the United
States is safe, orderly and legal," the statement said.
The Mexican government has been criticized often for not doing more to stop the flow of illegal migrants to the United
States. But officials say they can do little because while aiding illegal crossings for a fee is a crime, there\'s no
Mexican law stopping migrants from gathering near the northern border.
Every year, hundreds of migrants die in the desert, where temperatures soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, and
many drown while attempting to cross the Rio Grande. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, there were 325 migrant
deaths along the entire U.S.-Mexican border, according to the U.S Customs and Border Protection Bureau.
Braulio Munoz, an artisan from western Jalisco state, has tried twice in the past 13 days to cross the U.S. border
illegally with his 18-year-old son. He said he hadn\'t seen the guide but doubted anything would discourage them from
attempting a third swim across the Rio Grande.
"In Jalisco there isn\'t any work," said Munoz, 42. "God willing, we\'ll make it to the United States -- even if they
kick us out 15 times."
Image translation:
If they stop you, Know your rights! Provide your real name. If you are minor and you come accompanied by an adult, say so to the authority so that they do not separate you from them.
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