Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-05
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Foreign Advertising Representatives


Two factors have contributed to the state OF alarm
which exists among the Mexican laboring class in
South Texas and the Valley today.
First is the increased activity of the Border Patrol
and immigration Inspectors occssioned by the fact
that the services have more men and more money
than they have had in years past. There Is no evil
dence OF undue activity nor of the slightest violation
OF either the letter or spirit Of the law.
It is true that q considerably larger number of
Mexicans who have gained entrance to the United
States Illegally have been deported in the past few
months. This naturally strikes terror to the heart OF
q person who realizes he has neglected to perfect q
legal right to reside In this country.
The second cause of alarm is the spread Of untrue
stories Of inhuman treatment among those most likely
to be affected and among those who are In poor posi-
ton TO obtain the facts from . source In which they
have complete confidence.
Concerning the first cause there is little that can
be done. The present law is not sufficiently stringent
to satisfy the American Federation OF Labor and mod
ification Of the terms under which laborers are ad-
mitted to the United States appears TO be out OF the
question.
The second cause Of alarm can be allayed by per-
si5tent denial by those who have the confidence OF
Mexican laborer of untrue reports Of families being
torn apart. of mothers being deported without their
babies. and the like.
More important, those who are trusted BY the la
boring Mexican national can convey to them the sim
pie rules with which they must comply to perfect
legal residence in the United States. This can be .
real service.
At present it appears that it is necessary for all
aliens who are illegally in the United States to leave
the country before legal entry can be perfected.
4he South Texas Chamber Of Commerce has Sc
cured from Z. J. Trevino, Mexican consul at Hidalgo,
the following statement Of the requirements as inter
preted for him by United States immigration au-
.horities:
Those Mexicans now working in South Texas
without proper papers should return for these
papers. The following information will be re-
auired by American consuls from Mexican alien
residents in the United States who are departing
for the purpose of legalzing their residence In the
United States:
birth certificate.
"s-Marriage certificate. II married.
"3-Conclusive written evidence that they have
regular employment in the United States. such
evidence to include by whom they are employee
the length Of time they have been employed and
their income.
"4-written evidence from the American au-
thorities in the district where they have been liv-
ing to the effect that they have never received ally
public aid or have never been convicted Of crine.
evidence from the Mexican consul in the
district where they have been residing showing
that they have never received from that service
funds or transportation back to Mexico"
There are many Mexican families in the Valley
vino have been here many years-who by their in
duStry and ~frugality have built up an estate-who
have acquired property and become valuable citizens.
Everything possible should be done to aid these
families to perfect legal residence. Their American
friends should be willing TO give the necessary time
to helping with the legal steps necessary.
The loss of these good citizens would be serious to
the Valley economically and would deal q blow to the
friendly relations existing between the two beoples
along the border.
Another step which might be taken to the advan-
tage Of both the Valley and the workers would be the
enactment OF laws by the Texas legislature preventing
labor agents from deporting wholesale numbers Of
Mexican nationals from this border country. where
they are appreciated. to northern states. where they
often are miStreated.