Hispanic / Latino

Today NDN/NPI hosted a panel discussion on the current state of the economic relationship between the US and Mexico with Michael C. Camunez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, D. Rick Van Schoik, Director, North American Center for Transborder Studies and Simon Rosenberg, President,NDN and NPI. At the core of the discussion was the the findings of the NPI's major new report on cross border trade with Mexico.

For video from the event as well as a spreecast with the writers of the report please see below.

Event - Realizing the Value of our Cross Border Trade with Mexico Feat. Michael Camunez
Spreecast - Value of Cross Border Trade with Mexico.
Report - Realizing the Value  of our Cross Border Trade with Mexico

Rick Van Schoik noted that there has been great improvements between the Ports of Entry what must now occur is more staffing at the ports of entry to increase competitiveness domestically:

"Trade and tourism have suffered across the United States - Mexico Border as well as at the United States Canada border as most investment has been made BETWEEN ports of entry rather than AT the places where prosperity and productivity matters.  In terms of staffing, infrastructure, and technology, the rhetoric of safety has warped the reality, which is that the region is safe now lets find a way to invest in the gateways to North American competitiveness with each other and worldwide. DHS and the administration have led on this, now lets get the funding to make an even stronger economy domestically"

Assistant Secretary Camunez noted that with the complementary nature of our economies, most small businesses in this country only trade to one of two countries, Canada or Mexxico. If the United States is going to continue to grow its manufacturing base, our country will have to continue to increase its levels of trade with Mexico:

"We have a highly integrated economy with Mexico, with high level of co-production, with industry on both sides of the border. Our interest is to grow jobs, and to grow our manufacturing base as the President mentioned in his state of the union, then we have to make sure our manufacturers can compete.... "

Just a friendly reminder to join Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN, Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice and Ruben Gallego, State Representative, Arizona District 16 for a discussion:"A Changed Landscape: How Recent Events Have Changed The Debates Over Immigration, the Border and The Political Attitudes of Latinos." Below is some background materials from our panelists that will be highlighted on our spreecast.

Polling:

Univision News/LD National - Latino Electorate Poll Results - November, 2011
ImpreMedia-Latino Decisions - Tracking Poll Results - December, 2011
Pew Hispanic Center - 2011 National Survey of Latinos Topline - December,2011

From Simon:

NDN "The Administration's Border Strategy Is Working"
NDN "NDN Applauds Administration Steps To Improve Our Immigration System."
NDN "Easier Routes to Green Card to Be Proposed, New Paths For Migrants, Latino Migration To U.S. slows."
Salon "GOP's Latino Problems Get Worse."
Miaimi Herald "Romney will have big problem: Hispanic voters"

From Frank:

Americas Voice "Report: Why Do Elephants Put their Heads in the Sand?"
Americas Voice "New Iowa Polling Annihilates Conventional Wisdom on Immigration."
Americas Voice "Public Opinion on Immigration Reform Polling Round-Up."

From Ruben:

LA Times "Does Russell Pearce recall portend a new Arizona?"
Arizona Republic "Arpaio running again for Maricopa County sheriff"
Arizona Republic "Democrats plan to introduce bill to repeal SB 1070"

If you wish to participate in the event please do so by going to the NDN/NPI channel at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, January 12th, on the webcasting platform Spreecast.

On the Spreecast platform you can watch the conversation in real time over the web, chat about the discussion, ask written questions or even join the moderated conversation via video if you have a webcam.

Again all you have to do is click on our our Spreecast channel to participate in the conversation.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, we welcome you doing so on our spreecast page.

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up! Stories featured in todays border bulletin are below:

Immigration System Slowly Getting Fixed A Chicago Sun Times article highlights the small steps the Obama Administration has taken to fix our immigration system.

Protesters Have Their Day At The Opening of the Arizona State Legislature Advocates for and against undocumented immigrants showed up on the opening day of the Arizona state legislature.

Gulf Cartel Boss Pleads Guilty in Texas Jose Luis Zuniga Hernandez has plead guilty to charges that he was a leader of the Mexican Gulf drug cartel.

Also This Thursday, January 12th, at 2:00 pm ET please join Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN, Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice and Ruben Gallego, State Representative, Arizona District 16 for a discussion:"A Changed Landscape: How Recent Events Have Changed The Debates Over Immigration, the Border and The Political Attitudes of Latinos."

If you wish to participate in the event please do so by going to the NDN/NPI channel at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, January 12th, on the webcasting platform Spreecast.

On the Spreecast platform you can watch the conversation in real time over the web, chat about the discussion, ask written questions or even join the moderated conversation via video if you have a webcam.

Again all you have to do is click on our our Spreecast channel to participate in the conversation.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, we welcome you doing so on our spreecast page.

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up! Below are some of the stories featured in todays bulletin:

Washington Post Editorial Board Supports New Immigration Regulations  The Obama Administration new regulations which would help to ensure that families which contain an American citizen and immigrant children or spouse stay together have spurred a discussion about some of the more arcane problems associated with the system.

Upcoming Elections in Mexico Could Effect Border Region The July 1st elections in Mexico could have a significant effect on the southwest border region as well as our own elections in November.

Sheriff Joe Arpaio To Chair Perry's Arizona Campaign After campaigning in both New Hampshire and Iowa, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has announced that he will chair Gov. Rick Perry's campaign in Arizona.

Also This Thursday, January 12th, at 2:00 pm ET please join Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN, Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice and Ruben Gallego, State Representative, Arizona District 16 for a discussion:"A Changed Landscape: How Recent Events Have Changed The Debates Over Immigration, the Border and The Political Attitudes of Latinos."

If you wish to participate in the event please do so by going to the NDN/NPI channel at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, January 12th, on the webcasting platform Spreecast.

On the Spreecast platform you can watch the conversation in real time over the web, chat about the discussion, ask written questions or even join the moderated conversation via video if you have a webcam.

Again all you have to do is click on our our Spreecast channel to participate in the conversation.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, we welcome you doing so on our spreecast page.

This Thursday, January 12th, at 2:00 pm ET please join Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN, Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice and Ruben Gallego, State Representative, Arizona District 16 for a discussion:"A Changed Landscape: How Recent Events Have Changed The Debates Over Immigration, the Border and The Political Attitudes of Latinos"

It is the premise of this briefing that the events of the past year – immigration action at the federal and state level, new data about dramatic improvements in safety along the US side of the Mexican border, new polling of Latino voters – has created a new landscape for these issues very different than in years past.  Our three presenters will attempt to explains these changes, assess the new landscape, and review the challenges and opportunities ahead. 

If you wish to participate in the event please do so by going to the NDN/NPI channel at 2:00 pm ET on Thursday, January 12th, on the webcasting platform Spreecast.

On the Spreecast platform you can watch the conversation in real time over the web, chat about the discussion, ask written questions or even join the moderated conversation via video if you have a webcam.

Again all you have to do is click on our our Spreecast channel to participate in the conversation.  While it is not necessary to RSVP, we welcome you doing so on our spreecast page.

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up! The stories featured in this weeks bulletin are as follows:

In Iowa Hispanics Wary Of GOP A new report shows that Hispanic’s are weary of the GOP’s harsh anti-immigrant stance.

Romney: I would veto DREAM Act  Mitt Romney has made it clear that he would veto the DREAM Act should it come to his desk as President.

UNICEF Praises Mexico on child welfare program  UNICEF has praised the Mexican government for initiating a program which would assist children in extreme poverty.

For more from the 21st Century Border Initiative please check out our new website.

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up.

Supreme Court to  hear case on Arizona Immigration law - After much deliberation, the Supreme court has agreed to review whether or not Arizona’s immigration law is constitutional.

Alabama Law May Be Changed – After much controversy Alabama’s Governor may change his states anti immigrant law.

22 States Count Mexico as Their No. 1 or No. 2 Export Market - NPI’s report on cross border trade with Mexico was featured in Hispanically Speaking News.

The New Policy Institute’s 21st Century Border Initiative released a major new report researched by The North American Center For Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, “Realizing the Value of our Cross Border Trade with Mexico.”

For more on NDN/NPI’s work in this area, visit our new website, www.21border.com, and its YouTube site, which features dozens of videos of leaders from the border region talking about the very real challenges and opportunities they face.

Today the New Policy Institute’s 21st Century Border Initiative released a major new report researched by The North American Center For Transborder Studies (NACTS) at Arizona State University, “Realizing the Value of our Cross Border Trade with Mexico.”

NDN/NPI President Simon Rosenberg released the following statement on the release of the report:

“This compelling new report underscores what a vital economic partner Mexico has become for the people of the United States.  We hope this work, and the work of our 21st Century Border Project, will help lead to a greater appreciation in the minds of many, of just how important the bi-lateral relationship is for the US today." 

"That we trade more Mexico than we do with the UK, Germany and Japan combined, and almost as much as we do with China, will certainly be eye-opening to many.” We share a 2,000 mile border; our two largest states are adjacent to Mexico; more than a billion dollars a day of trade crosses our borders each day, and in the US, 10 percent of our population is of Mexican descent. " 

"Our relationship with Mexico is like no other bi-lateral relationship in the world today, and certainly needs to be seen as one of our most vital, essential relationships in a changing, early 21st century geopolitical landscape. “

The full report can be read here.

The general public will have an opportunity to discuss the contents of the report with Simon Rosenberg, President of NDN/NPI, Rick Van Schoik, Director of NACTS and Erik Lee, Deputy Director of NACTS by going to the NDN/NPI channel at 3 pm EST today on the webcasting platform, Spreecast.

Among the key statistics presented in the report:

• Mexico has become the U.S.’s third-ranked commercial partner and the second most important market for U.S. exports; Mexico spent $163 billion on U.S. goods in 2010.

• U.S. sales to Mexico are larger than all U.S. exports to the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) combined, as well as all combined sales to Great Britain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

• Twenty-two states count Mexico as their No. 1 or No. 2 export market: Mexico is the largest export market to the two largest economies in the country in Texas and California. Other states that count Mexico as their largest export market are Arizona, New Mexico, and New Hampshire.  It is the second largest export market for states such as Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

Remember to join us at  3pm EST Today for a Webcast.  Anyone can join this live event by going to the NDN/NPI channel on the webcasting platform, Spreecast.

For more on NDN/NPI’s work in this area, visit our new website, www.21border.com, and its YouTube site, which features dozens of videos of leaders from the border region talking about the very real challenges and opportunities they face.

Your Daily Border Bulletin is up! In today’s bulletin, Newt Gingrich doubles down on his immigration policy, outlining in greater detail how he would reform our immigration laws. Newt's plan does not allow for a pathway to citizenshp or the ability for undocumented immigrants to vote.  An analysis of Mitt Romney’s stance on immigration polices over the years shows significant inconsistencies.  The Department of Justice is suing Utah over a state passed immigration law. Finally the United States and Canada are set to agree on a plan which would allow the U.S. to track everyone entering and leaving our northern neighbor.

For the full post please check out our new 21st Century Border website.

Activists, Congressional Delegation head to Alabama: In reaction to Alabama's state passed immigration law, a delegation is heading to the state, including:

Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez(D-IL) Congressional Hispanic Caucus Immigration Task Force Chair
Rep. Terri A. Sewell(D-AL)
Rep. Joe Baca(D-CA)
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke(D-NY), Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus;
Rep. Charlie Gonzalez(D-TX), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair;
Rep. Al Green(D-TX)
Rep. Raul Grijalva(D-AZ), Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chair;
Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-TX)

"Activists are preparing vigils and acts of protest across the United States  on Monday to demand the repeal of Alabama's anti-illegal-immigrant state law HB 56...
...The event will coincide with a tour of Birmingham, Alabama, by a delegation of 10 Democratic lawmakers led by Luis Gutierrez, who will ask for HB 56 to be revoked.  The delegation plans to call a meeting of area residents and activists to document the impact of the law and later to take part in a massive rally against the measure."

Mexico sees life beyond U.S. export market:  Mexico's economy is growing, which is leading the country to look beyond its traditional export partners: "For years after the North American Free Trade Agreement came into force, the main road to riches for many Mexican entrepreneurs was across the border. Now they are increasingly likely to cross an ocean instead. Mexico's foreign trade with the United States soared after the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which also includes Canada, kicked off in 1994, almost tripling in six years.  But having then become dependent on U.S. demand for 88 percent of exports, Mexican firms were heavily exposed to economic shocks across the frontier, and the economy was battered by the financial crash that hit Wall Street in 2008."

Opinion - Southern Hospitality but not for newcomers: A New York Times op-ed highlights the very un-Christian message of Alabamas anti-immigration law.  "According to an Alabama law that went into effect on Sept. 1, it is a crime to knowingly give an illegal immigrant a ride. In reality, I was kosher as far as my immigration status was concerned. And even if I were not, you might walk away scot-free because you didn’t know I was illegal. But after Gov. Robert J. Bentley — who in January apologized for saying after taking office, “Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re not my brother” — signed the immigration law in June, you probably wouldn’t stop for a stranger like me, kosher or not. And that’s one of the problems with the law — its mean spirit. It goes against a basic tenet of Christian belief: “Help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you” (Leviticus 25:35). But that’s not my only beef with the law.