Political and economic reform in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America best way to help region’s would-be migrants

Another entire policy area stunningly and completely absent from the current national immigration debate is the dire need for political, economic and social reform in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America (nearly 80% of illegals come from Latin America).

Why are so many people constantly fleeing Mexico, for example, leaving behind relatives and friends and the land of their birth, to move to a strange new land? Major contributors to the reasons: political corruption and incompetence that hinders economic growth; an unwillingness to tackle entrenched monopolists (who are also major campaign contributors) that thwarts the growth of the middle class and the entrepreneurial spirit that would improve the employment outlook; a deficient educational system that makes it harder for Mexican businesses to compete in the world economy despite their low-cost-advantage; and rampant crime, including from the drug cartels.

It’s no surprise the New York Times does not want to cover these vital issues: its part owner is a leading Mexican monopolist and billionaire. But what is the excuse of the rest of the Media-in-Decline, other than that it undermines their narrative that illegal immigrants are victims of mean Americans rather than of their own, failed governments?

Want to help an illegal immigrant? Support efforts to promote political and market-based economic reform in their home countries.