Mexico Complains of Americans Immigrating to MX
06:32 PM CST on Thursday, November 15, 2007
Americans immigrating to Mexico stirring up complaints
By Angela Kocherga / 11 News
quote:
Some Texas towns try to keep immigrants from moving into their communities. But across the border, the locals are complaining about American immigrants.
More Americans are retiring or buying property in Mexico.San Miguel de Allende is known for its rich culture and its large community of U.S. citizens. There are so many Americans you're just as likely to hear English as Spanish on the streets. There's even an English-language newspaper.
If the Americans act like they own the place, well, they practically do. They're behind a booming housing market that's also driving up prices.
It's just one of the reasons some natives are beginning to question the impact of immigration on their hometown.
Some are so concerned about uncontrolled growth that they've started the campaign "basta ya," meaning "it is enough already."
It's clear the group's leader also has had enough of foreigners who criticize local customs.
"The sounds of the bells at six o'clock or the fireworks," said. "'Why don't you use traffic lights here?" Arturo Morales from the "Basta Ya" Campaign said.
So is it just a few people complaining or is the concern about U.S. influence in San Miguel more widespread? It's hard to know for sure because most people are reluctant to speak on camera. They don't want to be perceived as anti-American.
The Americans spend a lot of money, a shoe shine man said.
There's another major source of income here: Cash sent home by Mexicans working in the United States - immigrants who now face a backlash.
"They mistreat our countrymen and discriminate against them," one resident said. "We don't behave that way toward Americans."
Immigration is a divisive issue in the United States, but here in San Miguel, there's still common ground. Many U.S. expatriates agree newcomers should do more to adapt to Mexico.
Plenty of Americans embrace San Miguel's culture, even the things others criticize.
"This morning at 5 a.m. they were shooting off fireworks and the church across the street was just singing and dancing and beating drums all day," visitor Brandon Shields said. "It's just great."
It's a great big melting pot where, increasingly, Americans are the immigrants.
Americans immigrating to Mexico stirring up complaints
By Angela Kocherga / 11 News
quote:
Some Texas towns try to keep immigrants from moving into their communities. But across the border, the locals are complaining about American immigrants.
More Americans are retiring or buying property in Mexico.San Miguel de Allende is known for its rich culture and its large community of U.S. citizens. There are so many Americans you're just as likely to hear English as Spanish on the streets. There's even an English-language newspaper.
If the Americans act like they own the place, well, they practically do. They're behind a booming housing market that's also driving up prices.
It's just one of the reasons some natives are beginning to question the impact of immigration on their hometown.
Some are so concerned about uncontrolled growth that they've started the campaign "basta ya," meaning "it is enough already."
It's clear the group's leader also has had enough of foreigners who criticize local customs.
"The sounds of the bells at six o'clock or the fireworks," said. "'Why don't you use traffic lights here?" Arturo Morales from the "Basta Ya" Campaign said.
So is it just a few people complaining or is the concern about U.S. influence in San Miguel more widespread? It's hard to know for sure because most people are reluctant to speak on camera. They don't want to be perceived as anti-American.
The Americans spend a lot of money, a shoe shine man said.
There's another major source of income here: Cash sent home by Mexicans working in the United States - immigrants who now face a backlash.
"They mistreat our countrymen and discriminate against them," one resident said. "We don't behave that way toward Americans."
Immigration is a divisive issue in the United States, but here in San Miguel, there's still common ground. Many U.S. expatriates agree newcomers should do more to adapt to Mexico.
Plenty of Americans embrace San Miguel's culture, even the things others criticize.
"This morning at 5 a.m. they were shooting off fireworks and the church across the street was just singing and dancing and beating drums all day," visitor Brandon Shields said. "It's just great."
It's a great big melting pot where, increasingly, Americans are the immigrants.
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irony is funny 0 -
It can't even be compared to our illeagal Mex. problem..Americans going to Mexico are doing it LEGALY!!They do not send PESOS home, to the US.
If anything, the retired People that move there SPEND BIG MONEY there. and employ Mex. citizens..I can't see what their bitchin about!!0 -
Yep. We contribute to their society...not leach.. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by peon
"They mistreat our countrymen and discriminate against them," one resident said. "We don't behave that way toward Americans."
LMAO0 -
I go to Cabo now and then for a weeks vacation..... but I do it LEGALLY !!!!!!!!!! 0 -
My cousin and her husband retired, bought land in Baja, built a house, and are happy as clams. They live in an American community in MX and have no fears. I would be very careful about doing this, I hate to think I worked all my life and built up a good retirement package just to lose it to an unstable government. 0 -
wow, we bring money, and spend.
They bring nothing, and take.
We give them free health care, and legal representation when they get in trouble.
They don't have good healthcare to provide, and you have to pay off their cops just so you don't get harrassed.
f*^& them.
Ben0 -
RACISTS! 0 -
Screw them! 0
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