The Relationship Between the United States and Mexico
The relationship between the United States and Mexico has a long tradition, with Mexicans moving to the United States for more than a half-century. Through the involvement of laborers from central Mexico to mainly the South Western areas of the United States, this partnership has significantly benefited the United States.Working in Agriculture
In these regions, Mexican immigrants have worked extensively and impartially in the agriculture sector, where Mexico has become the main buyer thanks to NAFTA. Mexican immigrants also worked on poultry and vegetable plantations, as well as in the meat processing industry. Since the 1920's through to 1965, the US Immigration and Nationality Act reviews inclined towards achieving its labor needs and political opportunism. As a result, an increase of legal immigrants from Mexico increased along with Asian immigration. Nevertheless, despite their contribution to food security by working in agriculture, most Mexican immigrants have not had the opportunity to better themselves through education or experience to attain better positions of work or even conditions for the same.The One-Sided Relationship
It is unfortunate that Mexico itself does not enjoy the institutional privileges of NAFTA and continues to receive harsh treatment from America which hastily condemns its neighbor through accusations of being an economic killer (Hollifield et al.). Clearly, this relationship is one sided taking into account agreement made by the Wetback Policy. While this policy from the side of Mexico aimed at unifying their efforts to enforce only legal immigration and USA's safety from terrorism through Mexico, the US did not quite extend a similar courtesy in NAFTA. Instead, it has continued to enjoy cheap labor from Mexico which it later disposes of.Low English Proficiency and Low Academic Qualifications
On the part of USA, an increase in the population of low English proficiency and low academic qualifications became an issue in its society. Its immigration policies, therefore, limited Mexican immigrant population in particular states. Nonetheless, this issue has consistently been addressed by Mexico throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries (Hollifield et al.). Mexico has proven its role in managing its citizens and the fact that it cannot be treated with any less dignity over the issue of immigration. In any case, it has also been economically wounded by immigration of citizens to America and in its position in NAFTA. The policies of this agreement have only seen a decrease in Mexico's domestic investment from American foreign direct investment. So far, a lack of trade barriers has led Mexico to a corner as it is unable to create employment for its citizens following their inability to afford imports. As such, NAFTA has directly contributed to unemployment in Mexico leading to increased immigration to the USA. Therefore, the United States must regard Mexico as a partner and work with its inhabitants rather than portray its southern neighbor as conceited and underdeveloped.The Loss of Laborers and Diminishing of Mexican Immigrants
Historically, Mexico has suffered the loss of its laborers to the U.S, so much so that the former can be viewed as having derailed its economic growth (Ngai). Before and after the Second World War, when nations were still seeking means to develop into progression, Mexican laborers were extremely useful in the economy of their country. Their fleeing to the USA suggested that the United States would benefit from economic growth owing to cheap labor at the expense or Mexico. As a result, Mexico came into an agreement with the USA to regulate immigration in a mutually beneficial manner that would allow Mexico to retain some of its workers while others legally moved across the border. Unfortunately for Mexico, the United States did not deport only the illegal immigrants but took action against scores of these citizens leaving whatever they had already achieved to the USA. As such, America appears to have used Mexican laborers for its vital industries such as agriculture without much as the courtesy of providing them with decent wages or means of empowerment through education and status recognition. In any case, the state of Mexican immigrants continued to diminish against that of American residents.The Contributions of Mexican Laborers
The suffering of Mexican immigrants arose due to factors such as the inability to attain citizen status despite years of contribution to the American economy. This aspect became influential in the formulation of other policies with the claim that low incomes among the same population were risky as they encouraged drug cartel operations in the nation (Ngai). Unfortunately, these speculations ended up reflecting on more Mexicans following the creation of stereotypes that further pushed restrictions on immigration. Whether the United States regarded its neighbor unfairly considering all the economic benefits contributed is a matter of deep introspection (Stephen). Ideally, Mexico has provided vital labor contributions to the economy of the U.S apart from just the agricultural sector. Mexican laborers have also been significant contributors to the construction industry. They have lent contractors and other workers a hand in the most basic yet crucial processes for insignificant returns. Without such contributions, the American construction sector would certainly not be as far.An Imbalanced Relationship
The relationship between America and Mexico has evidently been an imbalanced one with America taking the higher side. It has failed to consider important responsibilities towards Mexico as a neighbor. The United States has a duty to Mexico to treat its citizens with dignity and regard their contribution over the years. The Mexican immigrant population has practically been a builder of America since the 1900s. Therefore the US ought to respect Mexico more in their formulation and implementation of immigration policies.Works Cited
Hollifield, James, Philip Martin, and Pia Orrenius. Controlling immigration: A global perspective. Stanford University Press, 2014.
Ngai, Mae M. Impossible subjects: Illegal aliens and the making of modern America. Princeton University Press, 2014.
Stephen, Lynn. “Creating Preemptive Suspects: National Security, Border Defense, and Immigration Policy, 1980–Present.” Latin American Perspectives (2017): 0094582X17699907.
