Bush Signs Bill Ordering Fence on Mexican Border

One of the first rules of missionary work is that all politics are off limits for discussion. Even so, this is going to be a huge deal all over Mexico. The issue has already effected business owners around the country and will continue to do so until full-immigration reform has been acheived. Your missionary will be asked about his opinion on this issue.

The practicality of building a border fence is debatable and it's effects can't fully be known until they play out. However, I do see a couple of potential benefits. First, Mexican fathers will be more inclined to stay with their families instead of abandoning them for months at a time or even longer. The cumulative effects of an entire population of missing fathers cannot be overstated. By encouraging them to stay home, families will be strengthened, church wards and branches will be strengthened and entire cummunities will be strengthened. They would also be forced to find suitable employment near their home towns. A surplus of qualified labor would hopefully benefit local economies throughout Mexico.

That doesn't mean there won't be consequences of this action though. Some are already portending grave labor shortages in the agricultural industry while others fret over strained trade relations with our southern neighbor. This isn't a political blog, but this is of great interest to me as I hope it is for you. Feel free to sound off.

Links:

NY Times coverage of the bill signing

Response from The US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Labor shortage article from The Seattle Times

We'll see how this plays out when and if they get around to building the fence.

Update 10/27/06 12:40pm:

I think I called this one. US-Mexico Relations Take a Turn for the Worse Yesterday . It will be interesting to see how this effects missionary work. If anybody hears first hand accounts, please pass them on.