Americans To Be Charged To Enter Mexico, Retaliation For U.S. Immigration Laws?


Currently, the United States and Mexico are officially allies, but despite that state, our relationship is somewhat awkward. For most Americans, any association with our neighbors to the south has to do with U.S. immigration.

The Inquisitr reported that the U.S. National Guard was sent to the Texas border to help defend it, even though it angered Mexico. However, such a move may be more to protect Americans from the Islamic State, who’ve reportedly used the guise of illegal immigrants to infiltrate the country.

Despite the fact the United States does its best to keep out Mexicans who want to enter the country illegally, Americans love to take vacations to Mexico. However, that may change, as reports come in that Mexico may levy a fine for Americans to enter their country.

According to an article by ABC 10, the National Immigration Institute of Mexico (INAMI) has started a pilot program in which foreigners who enter Mexican territory for more than seven days or do so through work will have to pay 306 pesos, which is roughly $28. Rudolfo Figueroa, a representative of INAMI in Baja California, made a statement on the new program, stating the implementation is a pilot, but the legislation existed since 2012.

“We are doing what should be done. Foreigners who enter Mexico have the obligation to register; if they will be in national territory for more than seven days, they have to pay the right of non-residents.”

It should also be noted that the pilot program only effects pedestrians entering Mexico at the port of entries in Otay, San Ysidro/El Chaparral, and Puerta Mexico Este. This doesn’t effect vehicles such as automobiles, aircraft (commercial planes), or marine craft (cruise lines).

After its announcement, conservative news sites were the most aggressive in having their opinions heard. Tea Party News Network stated that Mexico is being hypocritical because they’ve demanded an open border policy with the United States for years. Right Wing News stated that every Mexican official and president for the last 20 years attacked the U.S. for having deportation laws and for not issuing a blanket amnesty to million of illegals in the country. Both sites – with many others – have also called for a boycott of the country.

However, for those who want to take their Mexican vacations, they will not have to worry about a fee. ABC 10 reports that the pilot program was suspended following backlash from residents, visitors, and business leaders in both the United States and Mexico. This is confirmed by Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid in the following message on his Facebook page.

“We have agreed with the INAMI Commissioner, Ardelio Vargas, to suspend the pilot program to charge the Non Resident Right at the pedestrian border crossing, while there will be a new legislation that will avoid hurting Baja California.”

Now that you’ve read the news on Mexico’s attempt to charge Americans and other foreigners to their country what are your views? Do you think it was just a means for Mexico to gain more money, or do you agree with the conservative news sites that it is hypocritical?

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