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Mexican-Canadians say the issue goes beyond a wall

Feb 1, 2017 | 5:08 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Last week President Donald Trump followed up his controversial campaign promise to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it by signing an executive order. The wall has been surrounded by a lot of debate but local Mexican-Canadians have said the real issue is bigger than just a wall.

“For me, I think it is a direct attack into what is the sovereignty of Mexico,” said Miguel Aguirre, a local Mexican-Canadian.

Tania Fieldberg also comes from Mexico and said she understands that Trump wants to keep illegal immigrants out of his country but adds that the issue is more complicated than just a wall.

“We have a government that’s corrupt,” she said about Mexico. “It’s bad and that’s the reason why people are leaving, they need opportunities, job opportunities, and there’s no opportunities in Mexico.”

Aguirre said that’s exactly why he left his home country seven years ago to come to Canada.

“Doing the same job you’re doing at home but making 10 times more right? Or more, depending on what you do,” he said.

While many workers only take on seasonal work, Aguirre has since created a life for himself in Canada. He’s married and has a child and says it’s all thanks to an immigration program that supports labour workers from Mexico.

“You get all guarantees, you get a place to stay, you get a contract, you get a job,” he said.

But transportation to Canada is often left up to the applicant and that’s why Fieldberg says many Mexicans go instead to the States, but there is no similar program there so for many people it’s easier to do go work illegally.

“We don’t get visas easily. If you want to apply for a visa as a Mexican, to apply for a visa, the requirements are very tough to meet,” she said.

According to Fieldberg, that is the bigger problem, and instead of a wall, the focus should be on fixing the broken system, saying there are thousands of jobs in the States that Americans don’t want, like harvesting work.

“Americans are not going to do that job, let’s be honest,” she said.

“So there has to be a system, but a proper system, where those people are allowed legally to the US to take the jobs that Americans are not going to do.”

As for Aguirre he says he’s disappointed in Trump’s policies for Mexico, but hopes that if the wall does get built, it could be the push Mexico needs to address issues in their own country.

“It’s really an opportunity for Mexico to stand up for themselves, or ourselves, and to stop being a puppet of the United States.”