The much debated ‘Immigration Reform Laws’ came to haunt George Bush even during his tour of the Central American countries.
The present immigration rules in the US are termed tough by many. Several thousand illegal immigrants, mostly from the economically weak Latin America, reach the United States each year, adding to the nagging problems of illegal citizens in the country.
The president had to face uncomfortable questions about US immigration laws from reporters during his tour in Guatemala.
The economy of a country like Guatemala is increasingly dependent on remittances from immigrants in the United States. The money transfers are expected to exceed US $4 billion in 2007, making up about 7% of Guatemala’s gross domestic product.
Most of the immigrants, both legal and illegal, reach the US in search of better paid jobs. There are millions of illegal immigrants whose children are born in the US, and hence are US citizens.
The problem has assumed unmanagable proportions with hundreds of arrests of illegal immigrants in the US becoming a routine. Such illegal immigrants face deportation. News of arrests of Guatemalans living in the US illegally often spark widespread anger in Guatemala.
There are several human rights groups in the US that have been fighting for more humane and comprehensive immigration laws. Even businessmen like Bill Gates have come out strongly in favour of reforms to the existing immigration laws.
Bush was concerned of the sufferings of the illegal immigrants when he said ‘We don’t want people to feel like they have to get stuffed into the back of a truck and pay exorbitant fees to coyotes to come and try and realize dreams. There’s got to be a better system’.
Oscar Berger, the president of Guatemala, was categorical when he said ‘the Guatemalan people would have preferred a more clear and positive response, no more deportations’.
