El Heraldo USA lunes 20 de mayo de 2024

ARE CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT OF MEXICO FOCUSING ENOUGH ON THEIR CITIZENS IN THE US?

ILUSTRATION: JORGE

PEÑALOZA

SINCE 2006, THE MEXICAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN EVOLVING TO PROVIDE BETTER CONDITIONS FOR EXERCISING ITS POPULATION'S POLITICALELECTORAL RIGHTS ABROAD

BY PATRICIA TEPOZTECO ILUSTRATION: ALEJANDRO OYERVIDES

An essential part of those rights is participation in the country's democracy through voting, which presents significant challenges to increasing the involvement of Mexicans and Mexican Americans living abroad.

According to the evaluation presented to the National Electoral Institute of Mexico by the Binational Observatory of the Vote of Mexicans Resident Abroad, the main reasons that discouraged the participation of the Mexican community living in the United States in the 2018 electoral process are:

In those elections, it was considered that the candidates lacked a clear agenda for migrants, returning migrants, and those settled in that

THE MEXICAN COMMUNITY ABROAD, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNITED STATES, IS DIVERSE AND REQUIRES DIFFERENTIATED ATTENTION ACCORDING TO THE POPULATION'S DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

country. This discouraged voting and exposed the need for closer engagement with the migrant community to understand their expectations.

The population in the United States considers it indispensable for the electoral authority to expand its presence abroad, which is crucial to promote citizenship and ensure the exercise of political-electoral rights.

The Mexican community generally perceived the need for more information about the voting process and the profiles and proposals of the candidates for the different electoral positions.

In particular, regarding issuing voter ID cards from abroad, the lack of documentation to carry out the procedure was identified as one of the main barriers, and the activation requirement was considered excessive.

Interestingly, some respondents expressed a different perspective on the voter registration process, arguing that it is redundant. They be-

lieve the voter ID issuance should be sufficient for inclusion on the nominal list.

Until 2018, voting was only possible by mail, which limited participation. Widespread distrust regarding the secrecy and counting of votes also discouraged voter turnout.

On the other hand, individuals born in Mexico and brought to the United States in their childhood, as well as Mexican-Americans, require differentiated attention. Their knowledge of Mexican electoral institutions is lower, their binational relations are limited, and some speak only English, making it difficult to process and obtain information since the predominant language is Spanish.

There have been advances in many of these aspects. However, challenges persist and must be addressed to guarantee the exercise of transnational citizenship, taking into account the projects and interests of this population.

JORGE ÁLVAREZ MÁYNEZ MOVIVIENTO

CANDIDATE

We are a binational society.”

Mexico

I'm

XÓCHITL

BY: DANIEL BENET

n an exclusive interview for Heraldo USA, Senator Laura Ballesteros, Campaign Coordinator for Álvarez Máynez, provided details on pending issues to be resolved with the migrant community, as well as government proposals to address these issues.

Among the proposals of the Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) candidate for the presidency of Mexico, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, in his Migrant Protection and Foreign Policy Program, he emphasizes the need to: demilitarize migrant control tasks; eliminate internal migration review procedures, as well as immigration raids; and create dignified shelters for migrants.

"Migrating is not a crime, migrating is a decision made by human beings," said Máynez during the first presidential debate.

Senator Ballesteros believes that the present administration has given a lecture on what should not be done in terms of foreign policy, and among her strategies, she considers it necessary to: restore Mexico's participation in regional multilateral forums, restructure foreign policy, and reestablish the mechanisms of friendship groups in congresses.

In the context of nearshoring, a specialized agency is needed to promote investment, personnel training, and capital acquisition.

She points to the announcement of a possible installation of a Tesla plant in Nuevo León as an example to follow. However, Senator Ballesteros believes that this must be done complying with certain criteria, like commitments to sustainability and social justice, and resilient mobility.

If the right conditions are met, Mexican capital from the United States could come to Mexico, not only through remittances but as investment within the framework of nearshoring.

She said that this would be "a golden opportunity."

attracting nefiting

This stimulate wages.

To serve expanding bership to housing Regarding the United Affairs and zations in an exclusive importance

He emphasized Mexicans labor, and who are Addressing stated firmly, white supremacy, “We 3, 2019, racially

BY ALEJANDRA AND PATRICIA

or Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the candidate of the coalition “Let’s Continue Making History” (MORENA, PT, and Green Ecologist Party of Mexico), one of the economic priorities is nearshoring, which focuses on attracting sustainable investments for the country and benefiting the people of Mexico.

means aligning with the country’s industrial policy to stimulate inclusive economic development, jobs, and dignified

serve the Mexican community abroad, the plan includes expanding the coverage of the Finabien card, increasing memin the Mexican Social Security Institute, ensuring access housing in the country and expanding consular services.

Regarding the challenges of strengthening our compatriots in United States, Marcelo Ebrard, former Secretary of Foreign and current Coordinator of Relations with Civil Organiand Mexicans Abroad for Sheinbaum Pardo, emphasized exclusive interview with El Heraldo de México USA the importance of guaranteeing the right to vote. emphasized the urgent need to draft a General Law for Mexicans Abroad that systematizes all rights, including civil, and protection: “We must protect the 11 million people vulnerable in the United States.”

Addressing the rising tide of hate against our compatriots, he firmly, “We will prepare, promote, defend, and act against supremacy, which is barbaric.”

cannot allow another massacre like the one on August in El Paso, Texas, where 23 people lost their lives in a motivated attack against Mexicans,” he concluded.

SENATOR

LAURA BALLESTEROS, CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR FOR JORGE ÁLVAREZ MÁYNEZ.

We have to redesign politics so that migration is orderly, safe, regular, not clandestine.”

MARCELO EBRARD

COORDINATOR OF LIAISON WITH CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS OF MEXICANS ABROAD

That law must be crafted, promoted, and prepared in coordination with Mexican communities."

XÓCHITL GÁLVEZ RUIZ: CANDIDATE OF STRENGTH AND HEART FOR MEXICO (PAN-PRIPRD) FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF MEXICO

Migration to the United States, which is an issue that we have seen as a problem, I rather see it as an opportunity”

BY: ANGÉLICA SIMÓN UGALDE

The candidate of Strength and Heart for Mexico (PANPRI-PRD) for the presidency of Mexico, Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, has emphasized that she will implement a migration and asylum policy that prioritizes security, aligned to human rights, and which promotes inclusion.These are some of the specific proposals listed on her official page.

The engineer, businesswoman and former senator, proposes rethinking visa policies to introduce new modalities and strengthening the overall asylum system.

She looks to coordinate programs with funding to meet the health, education, housing, and employment needs of migrants in transit. Regarding remittances received in Mexico, she states that she will promote linking them to mortgage payments so they can become in patrimonial investments.

During her campaign at the event "Border XXI: Security and Development", the candidate made the following commitments: Create participation funds to ensure migrants have income upon their return.

Have a much clearer negotiation with the United States and review the conditions for being a safe third country.

About nearshoring, Gálvez will seek to improve the infrastructure to promote this business model.

Gálvez Ruiz will seek the creation of a North American Customs Agency to strengthen control at border crossings to curb the illegal importation of weapons and chemical precursors for drug.

Additionally, she plans to establish a National Border Authority for the administration of land borders and reinforce the institutional framework and communication and coordination mechanisms with major U.S. agencies.

The relevance of the mexican community in the USA and the relationship with mexico

DURING MY TENURE AS MEXICAN AMBASSADOR TO THE USA I MADE A PRIORITY TO ESTABLISH A REMARKABLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THE MOST VITAL COMPONENT OF THE LATINX COMMUNITY, NOW THE FIRST MINORITY IN THE USA. THE LATINX COMMUNITY IS APPROXIMATELY SIXTY MILLION PEOPLE AND 60% OF IT IS OF MEXICAN ORIGIN OF FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION, BOTH DOCUMENTED AND UNDOCUMENTED. THERE ARE AROUND THIRTY-SIX MILLION MEXICANS, ELEVEN OF THEM OF FIRST GENERATION AND CIRCA FIVE MILLION UNDOCUMENTED.

Ilearned the issues that were important for our community since I was a young diplomat at the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE) in Mexico. At the beginning of the eighties, the Mexican government was overly cautious in approaching the community, because of fears of accusations by the US government of interventionism.

So, the relationship with the main Mexican American and LatinX organizations established through the Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social and not the Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE). The logic was that most Mexican migrants went north searching for jobs, that the USA needed the Mexican labour force, so through this scheme we could collaborate with our community on labour matters. The leaders of the main organizations like the National Council of la Raza, LULAC and MALDEF, used to meet with Mexican officials under a rotatory chair, so that each organization would have the opportunity to exercise leadership.

At that time, the STPS started a joint effort with El Colegio de la Frontera Norte and Dr. Jorge Bustamente called la Encuesta

Nacional de Emigración a la Frontera Norte y los EU (ENEFNEU) to understand better the economic and social aspects of this increasingly important migration.

The dynamic has changed since those years. In 1998 Mexico approved the Ley de la Nacionalidad Mexicana, truly relevant for all the Mexicans living abroad, particularly in the USA. It facilitated that the Mexicans could obtain the nationality of the country of their residence, without losing the Mexican nationality. This encouraged Mexicans to obtain the US nationality and thus be increasingly active in politics in the USA.

Then, in 2003, the Mexican government established the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) whose main objective is strengthening the links of the Mexican communities abroad with Mexico, as well as to promote their integration to the societies in which they reside.

ments and protecting their rights.

A constant and constructive dialogue with our community is imperative to better understand their needs, aspirations, proposals and to create synergies to defend their rights and to empower them, particularly in the USA. One of the big mistakes that we can commit is to promote division among our communities. They are diverse, depending on the state they live in, or where did they come from. So, to encourage their division because of party politics in Mexico, would be a great failure and lack of comprehension of their future.

One of the big mistakes that we can commit is to promote division among our communities

For example, during my tenure, the Mexican embassy and the consulates worked together with the Census Bureau and NALEO, an organization that facilitates full participation of Latinos in the American political process, to encourage the Mexican American and the Mexican communities to answer the Census.

Hispanic Caucus and the Latino presence in the Senate and the House of Representatives increasingly important. The winning of Ruben Gallego in Arizona could be a game changer, consolidating the presence of Mexicans and Mexican American community in that key state.

The races for the seats to the House of Representatives of the border districts will be key to define which party will have the control of that Chamber this year.

The Hispanic Caucus should be more relevant than ever in the debate on border security and migration. And the Mexican government should expand and increase the dialogue with the Caucus. We must listen not lecture them. We must learn and understand their priorities not thinking that we know best.

Nowadays, one of the main tasks of the network of Mexican embassies and consulates abroad is to have a close working relationship with the Mexican communities, beyond the traditional responsibilities of issuing docu-

In 2024, both Mexico and the USA are holding Presidential elections, as well as renewing the Legislative branch. The LatinX vote will be key in “swing” states such as Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, anted Utah.

There are at least ten important races to follow that could make the

And the Mexican government should be ready to fight shoulder to shoulder with the community if the next USA government takes racist and xenophobic measures against immigrants and Latinx. No kowtowing. A Mexican lady, a woman President, can and must do it. Sin miedo, without fear or personal ambitions. Because Mexicans have been the past, are the present and will be the future of the United States. And Mexico will thrive with the input, knowledge, and strength of its communities abroad.

ESDC founded the Mole de Mayo festival in 2009. This celebration of Mexican culture has become an established tradition

Mole de Mayo

THIS FESTIVAL CELEBRATES MEXICAN CULTURE

BY DANIEL BENET

Jaime Garza is the Events and Projects Manager at ESDC, a non-profit organization established in 1976 as the Eighteenth Street Development Corporation to assist the Hispanic population of the Pilsen neighborhood in facing the housing crisis the community experienced during those years. In its early days, they trained people on their rights and obligations with the city, using various strategies to help affected individuals in the neighborhood maintain or acquire a home. Later, they began training people in skills such as carpentry, so they could find work in Chicago’s thriving construction industry.

PHOTO: COURTESY MOLE DE MAYO

EVENT

THE ATTENDANCE HAS BEING GROWING NON-STOP: 2019, 80,000; 2022, 90,000; 2023, 100,000. THEY EXPECT BETWEEN 100,000 & 130,000 PEOPLE THIS YEAR.

ALONG

03

MOLE DE MAYO COINCIDES WITH MEMORIAL DAY, SO, THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EL PUENTE, A LONG WEEKEND.

● DURING THE FESTIVAL, local restaurants compete to prepare the best mole to win the coveted "Best Mole" and "People's Choice" awards.

More recently, they have focused on helping small local businesses establish and grow, while also providing training for various jobs, such as marketing, graphic design, or developing skills for starting their own businesses. They leverage funds from the city and state, as well as investments, to have resources that allow them to support the emergence of these local businesses. The organization currently goes by the name Economic Strategies Development Corporation (ESDC).

ESDC founded the Mole de Mayo festival in 2009. This celebration of Mexican culture has become an established tradition in the Pilsen neighborhood. Jaime has been collaborating with organizing this festival for ten years; he grew up in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and besides being a graphic designer, he is also a musician knowledgeable about son jarocho, Veracruz music.

"Pilsen is around eighty percent Mexican community, twenty or thirty years ago it was

● THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION is to ofer high-quality culture and music for free, so that families can attend and be part of the party.

ninety-five or ninety-eight percent Mexican community," he comments.

Fifteen years ago, Hector Saldaña, who was then the executive director of ESDC, proposed the idea of creating a food festival and competition to celebrate the Mexican identity of Pilsen. The decision of which dish was the most representative of Mexican cuisine was not easy, it is worth remembering that Mexican cuisine was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Finally, they chose mole, a dish based on sauces made using dozens of chilies, spices, and even chocolate, and of which there are more than 50 varieties in Mexico. During the festival, local restaurants compete to prepare the best mole to win the coveted "Best Mole" and "People's Choice" awards.

Along with food, the festival incorporates other emblematic elements of Mexican culture: music and lucha libre (Mexican wrestling). Chicago is

May 24th to 26th

18th Street between Morgan and Halsted Street in Chicago, Illinois

In this year's edition, there will be 25 to 30 performances of music, dance, international musicians, and many local groups

known in the United States as a city with the best international food, including great examples of Mexican cuisine. It also stands out for its cultural, musical, and plastic arts diversity.

Alex Esparza, current executive director of ESDC, sought to increase the number of days of the festival and expand the activities to a larger space. Thus, during the festival, some of the main streets of the neighborhood are used for the installation of stages and booths, as also happens at parties in Mexico.

"The neighborhood ‘heats up’ and people want to come, young people, many people who come to Pilsen say 'you can feel the energy'… and it's something that happens day and night. There's a lot to do and see. There's a lot of history," Jaime narrates excitedly.

For this year's edition, they estimate between 100,000 and 130,000 attendees over three days. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, they estimated attendance of 80,000 people, and in 2022 and 2023, 90,000 and 100,000 attendees respectively, so they expect a 10 percent growth for this year. During the pandemic, they had to suspend the event on the streets for a couple of years; however, they organized and carried out virtual concerts and other activities promoting local businesses.

In the lineup, eighty to ninety percent of what you will hear is Latin music, but music from other regions is also incorporated. This year, artists such as: La Lá from Peru, Mireya Ramos from New York, DJ Baruch, Cuevo Pérez from California, the Comparsa de Morelos La Original and Su Nueva Generación, Mariachi Sirenas de Chicago composed entirely of women, Fuego de Cumbia, Dos Santos, La Rosa Noir, Los Desaparecidos from Chile, as well as dance groups Huehuecoyotl and Simantikos Dance from Chicago, among many more artistic expressions will be present.Jaime expresses the community essence of the festival: "How do we relate? How do we invite our Latin American bretheren? …how to make them feel at home too and how to grow strong through unity."

On the music stages, of course, mariachi could not be missing, as well as the dance of the Chinelos from Morelos, but you can also hear Cuban trova and New York salsa, as well as Afro-Peruvian music.

"Also, like mole, it's a mixture of cultures and music," Jaime shares.

Despite the festival's growth, they have strived to maintain its authenticity. In fact, this essence is what has allowed them to grow without losing what it represents.

"The festival cannot be held without the support of the people who come, who come to visit, to eat, and all year round they are talking about the festival" - Jaime concludes. Visit www.moledemayo.org for all the information. Social media to keep you up to date are @moledemayofest on Facebook and Instagram. Jaime is also part of the Pachanka Music Culture project, where he promotes Mexican and Latin American culture and music. You can find him at: www.jaimegarzarodriguez.com.

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WITH FOOD, the festival incorporates other emblematic elements of Mexican culture: music and lucha libre.