If TSHTF in January (or after) will there be a flood of people trying to get to the U.S.? If not, why not? I think there is a high potential for this to happen. I expect huge problems in Mexico which is not in great shape economically now. How will our government react? Are there contingency plans in place now? I have been a GI for over 2 years and have read thousands of articles on the subject and have *never* seen this issue addressed.

-- wondering (mgrmos@aol.com), October 05, 1999

Answers

It seems to me that most migrant workers are here to earn money that they can send home to Mexico. If they can't earn any more money, then I doubt they'll stay. We may see mass border crossings, but going in the other direction! Just a possibility.

-- rob minor (rbminor@hotmail.com), October 05, 1999.

I talked with a client of my husband's this morning. I know he has small children, so decided to brave the dread Y2K subject. He owns an electrical contracting business in southern CA. He is not online, didn't seem to know much about it, YET he has plans to take his wife and kids to Cancun on Dec. 26, and plans to liquidate and carry all his assets with him 'just in case'. I thought that was very interesting.

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), October 05, 1999.

Build it and they will come.

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), October 05, 1999.

There may be more going south than coming north. For every one they catch coming north two get through. It is a safe bet that Phoenix has a million "wetbacks". Some make reasonable money on the Arizona farms and go back and forth in order to provide for family.

If the US has a bad recession or depression I am sure many would go back south.

I live in Arizona and I worry more about the behavior of affluent DGI's during the coming months as opposed to the poor illegials. I have contact when selling at the Phoenix Swaps. I speak a little spanish and they speak a little english. They are very polite and pleasant people. I do not consider them to be a threat....more esp because I am rather well prepared for Y2k and have a "fall back position".

-- tc (trashcan-man@webtv.net), October 05, 1999.

There is an old joke about the Russian-Chinese War. On the first day of the war, 1 million Chinese surrender. On the second day of the war, 10 million Chinese surrender. On the third day of the war, Russia surrenders. We have been functioning as a "safety valve" for Mexico for years. The last thing TPTB want is a revolution on our southern border. Plus, there is all that cheap labor doing nasty, sweaty, dirty work that "real" Ammuricans can't or won't do.

Unfortunately, there is a large and growing faction that considers the southwestern U.S. to be historically Hispanic and wants the non-"Spanish" population to take a hike. Their political power is significant and they don't like anti-immigrant legislation-let alone police action by the Border Patrol.

What would we do if there was a sudden inundation of "refugees"-say a million or two? Issue them food stamps? Shoot them, perhaps?

-- chairborne commando (what-me-worry@armageddon.com), October 05, 1999.

Hell...The Mexicans'll probably close the border to US if Y2K hits hard enough..."No senor...please to turn back...we haff enuff problems chere already" No gringos need apply man...

Serves us right!

-- Billy-Boy (Rakkasn@Yahoo.com), October 05, 1999.

(1) This discussion is a good one, that probably belongs on the Humpty Dumpty forum!

(2) Closing the border (in either or both directions) would no doubt merely make matters worse...(Therefore, it will probably happen!)

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), October 05, 1999.

Isnt those White off road vehicles,vans,buses they painted up all shinny with a un on them for this matter?At least thats what I heard claimed,I also read all those thousands of vehicles were for Mexico. I guess they are expecting a heard!

-- y2kme (y2kme1@hotmail.com), October 05, 1999.

I think Canada has more to worry about than we do.

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), October 05, 1999.

In ref making the Southwest into a Spanish (Mexican) Protectorate - consider some of the UN "resolutions" that we have accepted via EO and look at where we would be if coffee Anal decided to push the bosnia precedent envelope.

THIMK!!

-- THIMK (THIMK@IttyBittyMorons.comoesta), October 05, 1999.