Welcome, Mexico’s Attitude toward Immigrants

My friend Nicky writes me, “My hope for you is that the Mexican people you are in contact with, are above the kind of backlash towards Americans that is bound to happen as a result of these horrific policies.” To reassure Nicky, and other friends and family, that the country I am calling home is choosing to be above the backlash, I would like to quote the state of Jalisco’s Governor, responding to Trump’s tweet about the wall. The Governor said, “Dignity is not negotiable. We aren’t going to pay anything for a wall. You have both our repudiation from Jalisco, and a fraternal hug to the North American people.”

The same paper, The Guadalajara Reporter, has a front page article quoting the National Institute of Immigration (INM) Chief of the Jalisco branch as he “welcomed foreign immigrants into the fold.” He declared to the new recipients of residency visas, “The ceremony is to honor you for deciding to make Mexico your home. We want to assure you that all levels of government are committed to serving you, so that you may live well and safely in our country.”

But how is it, I marvel, that this country’s people seem so easily able to take the high road of kindness? I think it’s because their cultural values are prioritized for people, over and above power and possessions. Here is a comparison from Judy King’s book, Living at Lake Chapala, of how three different cultures rank the priorities of their lives. It highlights the differences between those of us here from north of the border, Mexicans, and the Huichol, an indigenous group that lives in the mountains in Jalisco.

Draw your own conclusions, and please comment if you are so moved.