Carlson proposes business and political leadership to Mexican border, Mexican American Border States Rights Act to define integration of the two countries based on 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Image of a painting by Twin Cities
artist Ray Roybal

MEXICAN AMERICAN BORDER STATES RIGHTS ACT

I am proposing Congress pass the MABSRA with the following purposes and provisions. The goal is to stop counterproductive measures and drive development in the border region to bring U.S. jobs back from Mexico and Asia to the border region, and create more jobs with Minnesota's big trading partner, Mexico:

1. Federal employment legislation.

Pre-empt state laws like Arizona SB 1070 by establishing clear constitutionally-based statutory rights regarding employment by federal legislation, as in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Because it is a positive thing to be engaging in gainful employment and productive enterprise, persons who are not endangering public safety (persons or property) will not be subject to police contacts requiring establishment of citizen status. Other methods of documentation required by civil laws will still be followed, but work itself will not be criminalized or subject to the jurisdiction of the police in any part of the United States.

2. A program of affirmative action in contracts.

In designated border regions in the United States for Mexican American citizens (or through joint ventures) in any border state, which each state can opt in and out of. This will increase the buy-in of the whole region in maintaining the order, security and stability of the international border region.

3. Language and cultural rights.

Define and protect language and cultural rights with the stated goal of creating bi-lingual capability throughout the international border area in accordance with the intent of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. These will be reinforced through government, education, legal and commercial activities. This will help to improve the English language skills even of Mexican citizens who have not crossed into or lived or worked in the United States, and vice-versa.

4. Bi-lateral security arrangement.

The United States and Mexico will maintain a security arrangement, through which each government will be responsible, and will be jointly responsible for maintaining border security, and human rights of all persons in the border region.

5. International investment.

The two countries will work to secure international investment (e.g. World Bank, International Monetary Fund) in the border regions for purposes of developing and funding private industry and employment throughout the international border zone.