Boycott Mexico campaign targets illegal immigration issue

The large bold letters scream, "BOYCOTT MEXICO!!'' and are followed by the plea, "Do not give your tourist dollars to Mexico! Spend them in the beautiful American Southwest!"

The Boycott Mexico campaign, by a group called Americans United to Halt Tourism in Mexico, is the last thing tourist destinations in Baja California and elsewhere in Mexico need, as they struggle with an image problem caused by an unrelenting drug war.

Campaign volunteers have been passing out fliers at the U.S.-Mexico border at San Ysidro and other points of entry. The group wants tourists to stop traveling into Mexico until the Mexican government complies with several demands related to the immigration issue.

"The AUHTM Campaign is designed to allow the American people to confront the Mexican people directly on these issues," it says on a campaign link. "The incompetence of the White House and U.S. Congress to do their jobs in this area is well known and leaves concerned and well-informed Americans few alternatives."

Reaction: This smacks of racism, and people in this country are free to travel wherever they wish. This campaign, which is requesting concerned citizens to print and distribute fliers and organize demonstrations, can only hurt businesses that have nothing to do with the illegal immigration issue and, in fact, employ Mexicans in Mexico.

But because it's a free country, those behind AUHTM, who obviously are frustrated and concerned about what they perceive as a major problem, are within their rights to call for a boycott.

As for the American Southwest, it is beautiful. But last time I checked you cannot catch a marlin there. Nor can you kayak with whales or scuba dive with giant Pacific mantas.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Hectic scene at U.S.-Mexico border. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Bettybb]

Excellent idea! People who come to this country illegallly are criminals. Illegal entry is a crime, document fraud is a crime, tax evasion is a crime, id theft is a crime.

Mexico has assisted and encouraged its citizens to violate our laws. Time to let them know that Americans will not stand for it.

Racism has nothing to do with it, except the pro lawbreaking illegal alien supporters racism in demanding preferential immigration treatment for Hispanic lawbreakers over lawabiding legal immigrants of all other races and ethnic groups.

[MaryJ]

Is it "racism" then to boycott any non-white majority country that pursues policies that harm the U.S.? I guess so. And illegal immigration isn't a "problem" that is "perceived" to harm America -- the disaster that is California and its complete financial, economic and social meltdown is proof that it IS a problem, no "perception" about it.

[BeSafe]

If you need even more reason to boycott Mexico here you are ~ 32% of all non-natural deaths of U.S. citizens outside this country happen in Mexico! To read tragic Mexico vacation death stories, as well as stories written by victims that "survived their Mexico vacation go to:
WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM

[Andrews]

A grassroots response from legal citizens when elected officials can't or
won't uphold their oath of office is American as the original "Tea Party"
in Boston. Mexico's Agenda to create a nation within the USA
will not stand.

[Kenn]

I saw these misguided individuals at the San Ysidro border recently too... Do those that say "great idea!" understand that there is more to our relationship with Mexico (and crossborder tourism) than just "illegals"?

Let me give a few facts that I hope might at least give someone a slightly different perspective:

1) The LA Convention & Visitors Bureau reports that Mexican tourists (the vast majority of them who arrive AFTER passing LEGALLY through US land port and airport Homeland Security screenings) are the largest segment of international tourism to Los Angeles -- more than 1.6 million LEGAL visitors from Mexico spent an estimated $575 million into LA's economy in 2006 (this isn't my data - this is from the LA CVB's researchers).

2) More than 100,000 LEGAL visitors COME INTO San Diego County EVERY DAY from Tijuana, and on average spend more than $160 per trip (this is an average based on our surveys, mind you...but it implies a VERY large positive economic impact). Effectively, these Mexican visitors (remember: who crossed LEGALLY going through border inspection points) are TOURISTS to San Diego...

3) Also based on our surveys, every Holiday Season, Tijuana households purchase about $600 worth of Christmas gifts in San Diego County -- an estimated $55-83 million in economic impact by (again) TOURISTS from Mexico.

These economic impacts are ANNUAL, people....

So...my point: I understand some people are upset and want to blame Mexico -- but it's important to understand that this is not a one-sided relationship, and not really one with only one issue ("illegal immigration"). US tourists go to Mexico (and create jobs there, so people can be gainfully employed and raise families), and Mexican tourists come to Southern California and spend a LOT of money too...

Like it or not - we're all tied together economically, and if people want their dollars spent here in the "Southwest", well...Mexican tourists are doing just that already. Maybe we should encourage more of it instead.

[Taylor]

Claiming 'racism' is the first thing for someone to throw out there that has no argument, and the last thing called out when someone loses an argument. Don't cheapen whatever point you may be trying to make by crying wolf.

Legal visitors are spending how much in the US on their vacations in comparison to how much illegal aliens are sending back to Mexico and South America every year?

[Budswisr]

Obama and Nancy is going to open the gates and allow all of Mexico into USA. Then there will be no problems because Mexico will rule America and The USA citizens will be fighting for food and will allow our beautiful country to become a third world country. OBAMA WILL THEN HAVE REACHED HIS GOAL OF BRINGING AMERICA TO HER KNEES.

[HernandezUSA]

The Only Reform the United States is Enforcement of our laws and E-Verify.

The 1986 Amnesty proved that Amnesty, only leads to Millions of more criminals entering our Nation and more Americans being forced out of the work force by Predatory business owners.

Another, worthless Amnesty will not bring jobs to the 13,000,000 unemployed American families, struggling to survive. - Where is your compassion for them?

The RACIST groups like "La RAZA" are disgusting and UN_American by feeding Liberal Whites with guilt in supporting their cause to take over the Western part of the United States.

Americans Come First!

[Debbie]

La Hora (Quito, Ecuador) 3/17/09

Individual monetary remittances to Latin America totaled 69 billion 200 million dollars in 2008, according to the InterAmerican Development Bank. In some countries of that area, this amounts to 20% of the GNP. The drop foreseen for 2009 is cushioned by the dollar’s rise against several currencies including Mexico’s and Brazil’s and also against the euro.
Individual countries’ figures (in billions of dollars)
- Mexico 25,145
- Brazil 7,200
- Colombia 4,842
- Guatemala 4,315
- El Salvador 3,788
- Dom. Rep. 3,111
- Peru 2,960
- Ecuador 2,822
- Honduras 2,701

[Debbie]

DON'T BUY ANYTHING MADE IN MEXICO!

Mexico Strikes Back in Trade Spat
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123723192240845769.html

And I don't care how much money Mexicans spend when they travel here, it isn't worth it! The price Americans have paid is way too high. We can produce anything we need right here in America. Stop buying goods from Mexico! Maybe Obama doesn't have the backbone to close the door on Mexico but there are millions of Americans who do!

[Bobby]

I'm for it. But while Mexico is being boycotted, every single politician that is enablling illegal immigration and the takover of the U.S. by Mexico, needs to be removed from office. HOW MANY MEXICAN CONSULATES DO WE HAVE IN THE U.S. NOW??? ANYONE KEEPING TRACK??. ANYONE CARE??

[June]

This is a great idea. How about signs in Mexico asking illegals to boycott the U.S.?

[Debbie]

Bobby over 50 Mexican Consulates at least. June great idea!

[Kathleen]

Greed is what got us into this economic crisis. "Kenn," and others of his ilk, may believe it is worth selling out our country, culture, and welfare in return for the money spent in the U.S. by Mexicans; however, the majority of Americans do not agree with him.

Americans are taxed billions of dollars for foreign aid to Mexico and South American countries; billions more for services provided to illegal aliens (82% from Mexico); and, we loose billions more via money earned in the U.S. by illegal aliens which is sent out of this country back to the illegals' home countries (remittances).

Contrary to what "Kenn" believes, the monies spent in CA by Mexican tourists pales in comparison to what we loose due to the dereliction of duty on the part of the elected/appointed officials who enable, and perpetuate, this illegal alien invasion. For the thousands of the families of American victims killed at the hands of illegal aliens, or the hundreds of Americans who have been murdered or disappeared while visiting Mexico, there is no amount of money spent by Mexicans in the U.S. that would compensate them for their loss. I enjoin with the millions of other Americans who opt to not offer myself or a family member as a potential human sacrifice for the sake of preserving Mexico's tourism market.

[Debbie]

When you shop check all produce, canned goods, tortillas, etc. and if made in Mexico don't buy it! Check clothes, dishes, yard pots, furniture, everything and everything! That's where many of our jobs have gone not to mention the jobs here being filled by illegal aliens. Ask friends and family to boycott Mexican made goods too. To steal a phrase they love to use, YES WE CAN!

[LULU]

It's about time something was done about the illegal problem. Maybe this is the way to get the attention of either Washington, or the Mexican government, who should have been taking care of this problem years ago!!!!

[Jon K.]

The term "racism" has become incredibly over-used.

When I last checked the United States AND Mexico are both multi-ethnic nations. I don't see how an issue between nations can be called a "racist" issue. It's just silly to me.

The fact of the matter is that Mexico has an endemic culture of corruption which has undermined that country's vitality and created problems for the United States for DECADES.

Saying that we should just celebrate the status quo and happily look the other way is beyond irresponsible. It's morally distasteful.

I don't fully agree with the "Boycott Mexico Campaign". It seems a little extreme to me, but at least they're trying to do SOMETHING. Something has to change or it's going to be more of the same. And more of the same is simply not healthy for either country.

If you love your country and you are Mexican or you are American (independent of ancestory), you want the best for your country. What is best for both countries is a healthy and corruption-free Mexico... and that's not going to happen by doing more of the same and looking the other way.

When pride in your country becomes viewed as "racist", well, then society's priorities have become really screwed up.

[Ralph in Colorado]

Hrm,
So we boycott Chinese products, and now Mexican products and tourism. OK, I'll bite. I always try to buy American.
Mexico is well on it's way to a failed state. We are causing this with our insatiable desire for illegal drugs.
Solution is easy - legalize drugs - give them away. All sorts of narco-traffickers, the prison pimps in the USA, DEA, and LEOs who steal property all lose big time.
I doubt our legislators have the guts or intelligence to do the obvious.
Ralph

[Concerned Citizens]

Just read the comments about Boycott Mexico. Thanks for recommending the WWW.MEXICOVACATIONAWARENESS.COM. It is a real eye opener to read about the hundreds of innocent U.S. and Canadian citizens who have been killed because Mexico does not abide by any safety and/or security standards. Friends who have read the site have vowed never to travel to Mexico. Simply stated, there are many places to vacation to in the U.S. and with the economy faltering it is patriotic to support businesses in America.

[Larry Breazeale, Msgt. (ret.) USAF]

We veterans, families & friends of the National Veterans Coalition, commend this new group...BOYCOTT MEXICO . COM ....for all the awareness they are bringing to this issue. Illegal immigration, border security and the ever increasing drug cartel wars are not going away soon. Americans should stay away from this neighboring corrupt and dangerous country, which is completely out of control.
In reality, America should BOYCOTT "ALL" countries that are NOT working in America's best interests. America should NOT be trading business as usual, with communist countries, such as Red China and Vietnam.
-Larry Breazeale, Msgt. (ret.) USAF
Nat. Chrm. National Veterans Coalition,
www.nvets.org,
P.O.Box 18491,
Anaheim Hills, Ca. 92817

[Palabra Arriba]

Silly. Hysterical. Ridiculous.

http://www.thetruthaboutmexico.com

[dice83]

I can't believe the level of ignorance in some people. I am not spanish so this is not a one sided response. But I have spent a little time in Mexico. If you only knew the half of what most of the people go through to support their families. And at the same time are the most caring people. To say not to buy anything from Mexico to have less money in their economy. They make an average of $2 an hour. America is to blame for its own problems, mainly because of the selfish and greedy people that make up this country. And yes I'm an American

[Mimi]

I SAY "BOYCOTT MEXICO" AND SEND THEM BACK HOME. THEY ARE CAUSING MANY OF THE PROBLEMS WE FACE TODAY. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY GRANDCHILDREN BEING ABLE TO GET A JOB IN THE FUTURE. THEY HAVE BABIES LIKE ANIMALS. THEY ARE THE LARGEST MINORITY AND MANY OF THEM DON'T WORK.THEY BREAK THE LAW TO GET INTO THE COUNTRY...WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT ONCE THEIR HERE THAT BREAKING ANOTHER LAW WILL BE A PROBLEM. MOST OF THEM ARE CRIMINALS. WE NEED TO TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY AND LET CONGRESS KNOW THAT AMNESTY WILL NOT WORK. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS OUR ECONOMY WILL BE IN DIRE STRAITS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE CARE OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. MEXICO NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN AND ALL OF THESE OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL.

[hector]

there are alot of illegal immigrants that have good jobs and the U.S should give them their llegal papers because they are here to work

[NHAM]

people should be able to come to the U.S because there are no jobs in mexico that much like in the U.S