Columns Columns Allyn Hunt Immigration: Stumbling out of the gate into a field of restless folk for whom government changes seem whimsical
Immigration: Stumbling out of the gate into a field of restless folk for whom government changes seem whimsical
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- Published on Friday, 07 December 2012 12:22
- Written by Allyn Hunt
Heard it on the grapevine: A continuing – and increasingly loud – unhappy reaction to Mexico’s new (and clearly complicated) federal laws and increased fees for foreigners wishing to visit or reside in this Republic temporarily or permanently.
According to many common Mexicans, as well as academics, economic observers, lawyers, former and current politicians and government employees, the country’s various governments – municipal, state and federal and their subordinate agencies and representatives – are presently scrambling to rake in funds from as many sources as possible. This seemingly insatiable fever, say old-timers, is common at the end of each sexenio (six-year presidential term). For instance, not even Mexican citizens are clear whether these new laws and fee increases applying to foreigners are really a product of the outgoing administration of president Felipe Calderon, or the incoming just-elected Enrique Peña Nieto. The “immigration” changes were enacted back in May 2011, so logic – not always applicable to governments – suggests it was the work of Calderon&Co.;