10 August 2009

Mexico summit to touch on Canada-Mexico immigration

The economic crisis, the swine flue pandemic, illegal drugs and immigration are expected to be discussed at the summit in Guadalajara, Mexico between President Barack Obama and his Mexican and Canadian counterparts.

The summit, started four years ago as a way for the three neighbouring countries to build on the ties created by the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The New York Times reported that as much as the summits bring the countries together, the meetings have also served to highlight deep differences, particularly on trade and immigration.

“I think the summit is going to be a step in the continuing dialogue from which agreements will undoubtedly come,” General James L. Jones, Mr Obama’s national security adviser, said before the meetings began.

“I think we’ll see more of these dialogues. And as I said, from that, I think good things will come.”

Immigration was raised again, but  tensions are focused on Mexicans entering Canada, not the United States.

Canada announced last month that Mexican citizens will now require Canadian visitor visas (or Temporary Resident Visa) before entering the country. The move was prompted because too many Mexicans, the Canadian government said, were fraudulently claiming political asylum in Canada and overwhelming the system.

The Mexicans responded by announcing Canadian diplomats and government officials would now require visas to enter Mexico.

President Felipe Calderón held off from requiring visas for all Canadian visitors to Mexico, a move that would most likely damage Mexico’s tourism industry.

Other topics discussed at the summit was trade disputes between Mexico and the United States, trade protectionism, and combating illegal drugs  and drug-related violence.

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The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with Canadian visas and immigration.