Agricultural Personnel Management Program
University of California

It was something that was bound to come up sooner or later. Would Latino activists get the cold shoulder from policy-makers still hurt by Mexico's lack of support during the war in Iraq?

Orange County business-people and other members of the Latino Coalition are finding out while attempting to revive the issue of a U.S.-Mexico immigration accord during a Washington, D.C., conference that begins today. The conference is the latest attempt by activists to revive a possible agreement to regulate illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States.

"We debated it among ourselves. Should we do it or are we wasting our time?" said Robert de Posada, president of the Washington-based Latino Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group that claims 15,000 members nationwide, mainly from the business community. Leaders of the group, whose board of directors includes at least half a dozen businessmen from Orange County, are known for their strong ties to the Republican National Committee. Their Republican connections help the group gain entry to the White House, although it has not forged ties to longtime immigrant advocates.

On Wednesday, the group had yet to confirm the attendance of key legislators at the conference, where coalition members, lawmakers, labor leaders and others hope to create a proposal that would allow more Mexicans to work legally in the United States.

Several congressional lawmakers declined to attend, saying they had other commitments. A handful of legislators who confirmed included Rep. Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat who has made immigration his top priority, and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, a Florida Republican slated to speak at the event. Among those who weren't able to attend were Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, chairman of the newly created U.S.-Mexico congressional caucus, and Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., who heads the House International Relations Committee.

"Yes, in Washington, there are some hurt feelings. Certainly, Mexico's position did not go unnoticed," said Laguna Niguel entrepreneur Carlos Olamendi, an activist on both sides of the border who just returned from a trip to Mexico City to lobby for emigrant rights. "Some of the people we contacted flat-out told us, 'Well, you know, Mexico was not a friend to us in our time of need. How can you come ask us to attend this event?' "

Still, the Latino Coalition forged ahead, although several members said they realize an immigration accord between Mexico and the United States stands little chance of approval in the near future.

The topic has taken a back seat to anti-terrorism concerns, though immigrant advocates say providing a legal way for more Mexican workers to come to the United States will result in less illegal immigration and a more secure U.S.-Mexico border.

Many wondered whether the topic would be shelved indefinitely after Mexican President Vicente Fox wavered on whether his country would provide the one additional vote needed for the U.N. Security Council's support of the U.S. war on Iraq. Once the fighting started, Fox publicly condemned the war.

San Clemente businessman Mario Rodriguez, chairman of the coalition, brushed aside any concern that Mexico's stance would affect efforts to renew negotiations.

Cecilia Muñoz, vice president at the National Council for La Raza in Washington, D.C., which advocates for immigrant rights, also doubted that Mexico's lack of support for the U.S. war would block an immigration accord.

"I think that the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is more tense than it was for a variety of reasons," Munoz said. "I don't think ultimately the relationship between Mexico and the United States can do much to hurt the U.S. immigration policy debate."

Whatever agreements are reached between Bush and Fox, Munoz said, they would still need to be passed by the U.S. Congress.

Republican leaders in Congress are divided over what kind of immigration reform should occur, and many had been looking to Bush to provide a direction for the party to go on this issue. During a recent trip to the San Ysidro border, Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge was vague on the topic, saying there would be no punitive actions against Mexico for its war stance.