Immigration's Other Side

U.S. Border Policy May Decide Mexico's Presidential Election

(CBS)  While Salinas de Gortari was the first modern Mexican president to openly bill himself as pro-American, it is President Fox who has most closely aligned himself with a U.S. administration, while receiving so little in return. Fox, who is barred by the constitution from seeking a second term, was the first foreign leader to make a state visit to the Bush White House. And in the early days of the Bush presidency, both leaders declared themselves compadres and expressed a shared vision to mend immigration policy.

But the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and domestic pressure to secure U.S. borders from potential terrorists, have altered the Bush administration's approach towards its southern neighbor. In addition to calling National Guard into action, Mr. Bush announced last month that it "makes sense" to construct a 370-mile long fence along key stretches of the border (a separate House bill proposes a 700-mile long border wall).

The United States Congress is unlikely to decide on the construction of a border wall before July 2 elections. But Mr. Bush's border moves have undoubtedly hampered Fox and could spell trouble for Calderon, his chosen successor, nonetheless.

"Fox has been the most pro-American president in the history of Mexico and that hasn't resulted in anything," said Capetillo. "Many Mexicans see the border issue as anti-Mexican. They are asking themselves, 'Why have we gotten closer to the U.S. if they are going to build a border wall?' "