Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GUATEMALA591
2006-03-23 19:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
GUATEMALAN INDIGENOUS CALL ON AMBASSADOR TO CONVEY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0006 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #0591 0821940 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231940Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9239 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 3511
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000591
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SMIG CVIS SNAR EAID PREF PHUM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN INDIGENOUS CALL ON AMBASSADOR TO CONVEY
CONCERNS ABOUT IMMMIGRATION REFORM
UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000591
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SMIG CVIS SNAR EAID PREF PHUM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN INDIGENOUS CALL ON AMBASSADOR TO CONVEY
CONCERNS ABOUT IMMMIGRATION REFORM
1. On March 21 the Ambassador met with a group of
Guatemalans calling itself the "Campaign for Life and Against
the Wall." The leaders, who represented five primarily
indigenous highland departments, delivered a letter addressed
to the U.S. Senate as well as a petition containing
approximately 10,000 signatures. The petition is titled,
"U.S. Immigration Law H.R.4437...a disaster worse than Stan."
The petition calls on the U.S. Senate to "consider a humane
and comprehensive solution to immigration problems and to
carefully examine the economic development and long-term
political stability of the communities that produce migrant
workers."
2. In very cordial terms, the Guatemalan indigenous expressed
their concerns about the potential economic and social
impacts on their communities if the Senate were to approve
H.R.4437 in its current form. All hailed from departments
with limited economic opportunities that depend heavily on
remittance income from the United States. They underscored
that poverty and unemployment, particularly in the highland
states, forces migration and expressed their fear that loss
of remittance income and the return of migrants without job
prospects will have a destabilizing effect on Guatemala.
They said they were concerned that the Guatemalan government
was not generating jobs or economic growth, especially in
rural areas. The Ambassador noted that the Central American
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is an important first step
toward encouraging investment and generating new jobs in
Guatemala.
3. The Ambassador agreed to convey to Washington their
views. He explained that comprehensive immigration reform is
a top priority for the Administration. He emphasized the
President's commitment to securing the border, preventing
illegal crossings, and strengthening enforcement of
immigration laws. He said the administration supported
creation of a temporary worker program as part of an
immigration reform package.
DERHAM
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL SMIG CVIS SNAR EAID PREF PHUM GT
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN INDIGENOUS CALL ON AMBASSADOR TO CONVEY
CONCERNS ABOUT IMMMIGRATION REFORM
1. On March 21 the Ambassador met with a group of
Guatemalans calling itself the "Campaign for Life and Against
the Wall." The leaders, who represented five primarily
indigenous highland departments, delivered a letter addressed
to the U.S. Senate as well as a petition containing
approximately 10,000 signatures. The petition is titled,
"U.S. Immigration Law H.R.4437...a disaster worse than Stan."
The petition calls on the U.S. Senate to "consider a humane
and comprehensive solution to immigration problems and to
carefully examine the economic development and long-term
political stability of the communities that produce migrant
workers."
2. In very cordial terms, the Guatemalan indigenous expressed
their concerns about the potential economic and social
impacts on their communities if the Senate were to approve
H.R.4437 in its current form. All hailed from departments
with limited economic opportunities that depend heavily on
remittance income from the United States. They underscored
that poverty and unemployment, particularly in the highland
states, forces migration and expressed their fear that loss
of remittance income and the return of migrants without job
prospects will have a destabilizing effect on Guatemala.
They said they were concerned that the Guatemalan government
was not generating jobs or economic growth, especially in
rural areas. The Ambassador noted that the Central American
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is an important first step
toward encouraging investment and generating new jobs in
Guatemala.
3. The Ambassador agreed to convey to Washington their
views. He explained that comprehensive immigration reform is
a top priority for the Administration. He emphasized the
President's commitment to securing the border, preventing
illegal crossings, and strengthening enforcement of
immigration laws. He said the administration supported
creation of a temporary worker program as part of an
immigration reform package.
DERHAM