Free Trade Agreement
If the free trade pact eliminates most barriers to the free flow of investment between the United States, Canada and Mexico, will it also result in reducing barriers for the free flow of aliens across borders too?
Many of us are concerned about the immediate effect of NAFTA on the free flow of illegal aliens across our borders. Some companies will benefit from the pact and others will be hurt by it, but all of us in border states are already hurting from the increased financial burdens for illegals who are already here. A recent report from the state’s auditor general says illegal immigration costs California about $3 billion a year.
A short-term sacrifice of California to a Third World status is not worth the long-range benefits of NAFTA. Existing immigration laws need to be enforced now and legislation needs to be passed to eliminate the benefits that attract illegals across the border before any free trade agreement is finalized.
Maybe in the long run NAFTA will reduce the influx of illegals but we cannot wait 10 years for wages and conditions in Mexico to improve--we must have action now.
DOREEN BURCHETT, Newport Beach
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