St. Helena immigration specialist Rosa Segura has been elected by a Mexican government agency to a key advisory body looking at Mexican-U.S. relations and issues important to the two nations. Among the topics on the agenda are politics, economics, health and border issues.
Segura was elected to a four-year term on the advisory council of the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. It is overseen by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Her name was put into nomination by the Mexican Consulate, and she was elected by the general membership. The institute is a 120-member council, 100 of whose members are elected democratically, primarily by Mexicans and Mexican-Americans who live in the United States and Canada.
According to the group’s first president, Candido Morales, “The responsibilities of the founding members of the Advisory Council will be to provide advice to the Mexican government in its efforts to strengthen the ties which bind Mexico with its diaspora. Their input will contribute to consolidate a series of policies which, in order to be successful, require consistency and a long-term vision.”
Segura said she had submitted three areas where she would like to concentrate her efforts: border issues, education and politics.
“I know a lot of people who are taken advantage of in every way imaginable,” she said of immigration problems. “I want to see imaginative reform and agreements that will benefit both governments and the individuals.”
Segura said she would like to see an end to such atrocities as the rash of murdered young women in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas.
Mexican President Vicente Fox is expected to attend the group’s first meeting, an informal get together in San Jose in mid-February.
The advisory council membership is not a paid position, but there is some reimbursement of travel and other expenses.
In Morales’ comments to the council, he concluded, “The responsibility of fostering Mexico’s development depends largely on Mexicans themselves. But Mexico will be better able to achieve its full potential by calling on all members of the Mexican nation, including those who live abroad, to contribute with their talents, skills and resources.”
Website: Complete Story