Mexico's Narco-Refugees

The security and stability of America's southern neigh¬bor has been a condition taken for granted by many U.S. policymakers. While the U.S. defense establishment, in particular, has been focused on wars in Iraq and Afghani¬stan, the potential for spillover violence from Mexico can¬not be dismissed. Over 30,000 Mexicans have been killed since Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched a cam¬paign to destroy drug cartels and gangs, which have per-petrated heinous acts of violence like...
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The security and stability of America's southern neigh¬bor has been a condition taken for granted by many U.S. policymakers. While the U.S. defense establishment, in particular, has been focused on wars in Iraq and Afghani¬stan, the potential for spillover violence from Mexico can¬not be dismissed. Over 30,000 Mexicans have been killed since Mexican President Felipe Calderon launched a cam¬paign to destroy drug cartels and gangs, which have per-petrated heinous acts of violence like dismemberments and decapitations. Small towns in Mexico near the U.S. border have been abandoned out of fear of criminal violence. Busi¬nesses have reconsidered their investments and their op¬erations in Mexico.Such large-scale violence in other countries has led many people to seek safety by crossing an international border. This is beginning to happen with Mexicans seeking asylum in the United States. Dr. Kan examines the grow¬ing movement of Mexicans who are coming to the United States out of fear of cartel violence. Unlike illegal immigra¬tion, these Mexicans are leaving unwillingly. The effects of such a movement, if it increases steadily or suddenly, will force U.S. policymakers to rethink much of the strategic en¬vironment in the hemisphere and place pressure on them to reconsider national security priorities. The effects will also be felt in U.S. domestic political debates over immigra¬tion, public safety, and border security.