Need for more integration strategies

I am in Mexico today and will soon present the topic of immigrant integration and the need for the federal government of Mexico, the federal government of the U.S., state and local governments (on both sides of the border), non-profits and immigrant groups to begin collaborating, funding, executing and promoting more effective integration strategies and programs.

Integration strategies, for me, are intentional programs that allow newcomers the ability to learn and fully participate in their new community's political (civics, government), social (language, education, protocols), and economic (jobs, commerce) systems, and works to establish a receiving community that is welcoming and inclusive of newcomers.

Immigration reform cannot be successful without comprehensive integration strategies.

Rights of Mexicans to vote in Mexico's elections

Mexicans have a constitutional right to vote in Mexico's elections, regardless of where they live. However, the federal government of Mexico has struggled to reform its election laws in order to register people to vote and to actually allow for people to vote.

In 2006 and for the first time, Mexicans living in outside Mexico were able to vote, thanks to the advice of our council. However, many policies and systems need to change in order to be ready for the next presidential elections cycle (every 6 years).

Today, Congresswoman Alejandra Reynosa presented the House of Representatives proposal for reforms and budget to accomplish this goal. In two weeks, Mexico's Congress will finally vote for the legislation that will invest about $1.2 million pesos to open more than 150 modules in the U.S. to begin registering Mexicans in the official electorate register. Mexico uses a national voter identification card and can only be given out by an autonomous and independent federal elections commission. After these first reforms and budget are approved, the next set of policy changes will include, for the first time, the ability to elect representatives of Mexicans living abroad to Mexico's both chambers of the federal Congress.

Mexico is making some very progressive moves as it relates to its diaspora living in the U.S and beyond.

Posted from Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico