I know this will sound crazy but imagine for a minute that Mexico (or some of the 31 states of Mexico) were to petition to become states as part of the United States. (There is nothing in the constitution to stop them so long as they have, or choose to adopt, a republican form of government.) How would you react? How would you expect your fellow citizens to react?
After imagining the unimaginable, does this thought affect the way you think about immigration (illegal or otherwise)?
That’d be a tough sell since every Mexican state is third-world. Absorbing the entire country would plunge us into economic chaos as our first-world standards are applied to that country, much in the same way that the reunification of Germany resulted in high unemployment and decreased economic output. You’d also be forced to address issues such as the Zapatistas and other criminal elements as well as leftover nationalism that may inspire “freedom fighters” to oppose such action. Mexico has a strong national identity that would not be easily absorbed into the US.
Them applying for statehood is not the same as having their statehood accepted. For the sake of our imaginary scenario, let’s pretend that in preparation to apply for statehood they were able to take care of the Zapatistas and other criminal elements and that there was some division among them so that those who felt loyalty to the nation of Mexico lived in Mexican states that did not apply for statehood while those who would prefer the advantages of American citizenship lived in states that made such an application.
As for your economic predictions – I think you are absolutely right. What would your reaction be if we faced such a possibility? (Also consider that we might not have to swallow the elephant whole.)
Wow, what a scenario. A very interesting thought. I was actually just thinking about writing a post on what would happen if the US decided to split into a liberal v. conservative type government. You’re adding, I’m dividing.
I think Jesse is about spot on with his guess. Mexico would not absorb well into the US because they would want all the benefits of being citizen but the general feeling is that they shouldn’t have to pay for it by way of taxes.
It seems like little short of a civil war would allow for the country to be split. I can’t think of an example of a peaceful split of nations off the top of my head (Yugoslavia, Germany, India/Pakistan). That would only worsen the deal in my mind. I don’t know that it would do much to change attitudes concerning immigration due to the immense cost of assimilation.
If we were faced with such a possibility, I would only welcome it with a stipulation that each state submit an application separately and that each one be considered on its own merits. We would also have to have an understanding that many of the federal programs that would normally apply would need to be limited so as to not bankrupt us as a whole. I would hope that many who came here from Mexico would consider moving back to help reconstruct.
Carl,
I would love to read your post on splitting the U.S. I also think it’s interesting that both you and Jesse spoke more about Mexican culture in your answers than about American culture.
Jesse,
I make no pretense that this is based in reality so the hypothetical situation is that the country was socially split in a peaceful manner.
I think you are absolutely right Jesse in wanting each state to apply independently – the only way they could apply together would be if they were applying to become a single state, but I don’t think we would accept a state the size of Alaska with the population of California so individual applications would be necessary.
I think the limitation of federal programs would be wise, but I also think that it would have to be temporary. Ideally the programs would be limited in the new Mexican state(s) until they could be similarly reduced in the other 50 states.
I really like your hope that many of our current immigrants from Mexico would move back to help in improving their economy and quality of life.