Guatemala Skeptical
about US Stance on
Immigration
Guatemalan authorities
deem unlikely for the
current US Government to
consider immigration
reform again to
normalize the situation
of 12 million illegals.
"I consider it very
unlikely and have
serious reservations
about what Mr. Thomas
Shannon said about
reactivating the issue,"
said Deputy Foreign
Minister of Guatemala,
Marta Altolaguirre.
During a visit to
Guatemala this week,
Shannon, who is US
assistant secretary of
state for Western
Hemisphere affairs,
suggested that the issue
might be reopened next
year.
In this regard,
Altolaguirre recalled
that all the time it was
said that if there was
no reform by August, it
would not be possible
until after the change
of government.
She noted that since the
9 11 attacks, the US has
implemented a very
adverse policy towards
immigrants, including
those living in the US
for many years, who have
families and properties
there.
She mentioned the
searches and sanctions
to people who rent
houses or employ
illegals, and a dramatic
increase in
deportations, reaching
over 12,000 so far this
year.
Stepped-up migratory
regulations lead many
people to find more
risky ways to get into
US territory.
At least 136 Guatemalans
have lost their lives
this year, including 11
women who died in the US
desert, according to
figures released by the
Foreign Ministry. |
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