The Mexican Foreign Ministry's Newest "Comic Book"

I am hoping this story turns out to be a hoax, but The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Mexican Foreign Ministry has published and is distributing a "colorful new comic book" providing advice to migrants on how to enter the U.S.

Dramatic drawings show undocumented immigrants wading into a river, running from the U.S. Border Patrol and crouching near a hole in a border fence. On other pages, they hike through a desert with rock formations reminiscent of Arizona and are caught by a stern-faced Border Patrol agent.

. . . .

The book is being distributed as a free supplement to El Libro Vaquero, a popular cowboy comic book, in five Mexican states that send many migrants to the United States: Zacatecas, Michoacán, Puebla, Oaxaca and Jalisco. The government plans to print 1.5 million copies.

The book comes with a yellow disclaimer saying it does not promote undocumented immigration, and it repeatedly warns against crossing illegally. But it gives no information about the steps for seeking a U.S. visa [emphasis added].

Despite the disclaimer, this book, which carries the innocuous title, "The Guide for the Mexican Migrant," appears to be a guide to illegal border crossings. Undoubtedly, it would be laudable if the Mexican government provided assistance to migrants on the visa application process and advice on adjusting to the U.S. once here. A comic book that provides advice such as, "Thick clothing increases your weight when wet, and this makes it difficult to swim or float," however, is not worthy of a government that is serious about reforming its political and economic system and eliminating incentives for its citizens to enter a neighboring country illegally.

As far as I know, the U.S. government has no plans to publish a French and English language comic book advising distraught Kerry voters on how to migrate to Canada illegally.