Does the author have an opinion as to how this problem should be solved? Is the answer to simply forget about U.S. and Mexican sovereignty and completely eradicate the border between our countries? I would have to see some independent in-depth studies on the environmental, social and economic impact of such a drastic policy change before supporting it (immigration is a primary concern of several environmental organizations including the Sierra Club). In the meantime, if we agree that a U.S.-Mexico border should remain in effect, perhaps we simply need to take a hard look at our immigration policies and how they can be modified to accomodate everyone's needs in the best possible way. Unfortunately, as the author points out, racism is a prominent factor in determing our immigration policy towards Mexico and this makes it very difficult to arrive at sound and reasonable conclusions. It also does not aid the decision-making process to discuss the tragedy of immigrant mortality without mentioning the role of the Mexican government in creating an atmosphere in which its residents become so desperate for work that they are willing to take these treacherous journeys and knowingly risk their lives. Is it the author's conclusion that the Mexican worker's situation is so hopeless that his or her only option is to flee to the U.S.? Are there no local efforts underway to empower Mexican citizens in their own country and reform their government and economy which would welcome the help of disenfranchised and angry workers? I believe there are. I also believe and agree that our current immigration policies are overly-restrictive and do not acknowledge the value - indeed the neccessity - of Mexican workers in the U.S. but I don't think the answer is to have NO immigration policy and no border at this time. I'm curious to know the author's opinion...

The U.S. needs to be held accountable for flagrant human rights abuses such as this, just like every other member of the United Nations(such as Iraq or China). The U.S. has been booted out of the U.N. Human Rights Commission as much for its arrogance and hypocracy as for its failure to pay its dues. The next step is for the U.N. General Assembly to vote for a resolution calling for the removal of the U.S. from the U.N. Security Council if the human rights situation within the territories it claims to be within its borders continues to deteriorate.(The U.S. claim to the areas where these abuses have been taking place is legally questionable, along with its claim to Hawai'i, Puerto Rico, Guam and numerous other lands-in other words; welcome to Palestine West.)

If you live in these areas and witness or receive reports of abuses such as this by la migra or the cops, report it to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights at

webadmin.hchr@unog.ch.

Excessive force in dealing with individuals is one thing. People making a choice and paying for it, that is another. As far as our tenuous claims to all kinds of land...welcome to imperialism. How do you think anybody came to claim any land in the world. War and death and poverty and all kinds of nasty cruel methods. Each epoch has things that are considered "barbaric in such a civilized society." In retrospect, a lot of really crummy things have come to pass in history. I refuse to repent for things perpetrated long before my time. Talking about tenuous claims on land is implying that this generation and all those that follow are going to be expected to pay for the past mistakes of people long dead to this world. Besides, to say we have illegitimate claims to places such as Hawaii would insinuate that there are legitimate claims. What was that about borders being wrong? Sorry, but anybody who lives here has to accept the consequences when they break a law. If they cross, knowing fully that it is illegal, then they have made the choice to take their chances with death. The only reason an american can hop into Mexico illegally and live there for the rest of their life is that they do not have the resources to back up their own laws. Every country has immigration laws. We are just one of the few that goes overboard trying to defend them. Yes, I think we should work towards open transit. Personally, I think the money from border protection could be better spent elsewhere. I know the national parks budget it hurting. I agree that there is excessive force being used now. Bottom line is that people make choices. These people died because they wanted money and all the things that come with it. Before we martyr everyone who dies trying to cross the border, remember that most of them were answering the call of corporate greed.

Apparently your parents never taught you right from wrong?

Mexicans unlike people from other countries seem to feel

citizens of the United States should not exist, sort of

the way Adolf Hitler felt about the Jews.

If people from south of the border knowingly break the

law of the land such as entering the United States without

permission there is a very real possibility that they are

going to be injured or in the case a few days ago..

lose their lives.

The United States does not have to make it easier for

citizens of Mexico to break our immigration laws.

Some sound advice to Mexican Nationals STAY HOME.

Actually, having been to Latin countries other than Mexico, there is "anti-American" sentiment all around. For one, they don't think that American should just be associated with the U.S. After all they are Americans too. We have done a lot of messed up political and military moves in other countries and shown no remorse. That is what is hated. I actually found that a lot of people from other countries were apt to welcome me in spite of what my country did. They are smart enough to realize that I am just me. So, yes there is a strong sentiment against the U.S. out there, but a lot of the people within those countries are willing to accept the fact that you didn't wrong them personally. So, your comment is both true and untrue.

have more right to this land than other "americans"

we are desendants of the true native americans...

lets not forget this...

z