Outfoxing California: Mexico's President Seeks New Subsidy For Illegal Migrants.(A)

By Milt Shefter

Mexican President Vicente Fox, addressing California's Legislature March 21,felt free to suggest another way for California to subsidize Mexico's economy.

Fox called for California to grant lower in-state tuition rates to "nondocumented" Mexicans living in California.

"Nondocumented immigrant" is a politically correct euphemism for illegal alien -- one who has entered this country illegally or has not been granted anyofficial status. Of California's 34 million-person population, about 12 million are ethnic Mexicans. It is estimated that over half are either here illegally or got here that way.

It is for this 6 million that Fox wants even more entitlements. "They have not only made (California's) current prosperity possible," he claims, "but through their traditions and customs, they have also given greater vitality to the rich and diverse culture of California."

Merely a cursory review of the economics of illegal aliens would dispute Fox's contention.

Yes, these workers may accept labor at lower rates and without the perks of others -- a boon to employers. But guess who gets stuck with the bill for the inevitable costs of their arrival? The taxpayers of California.