Impact of Mexico's immigration policy on the migrant crisis

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Podcasts Take Two

Jul 9, 2014

Listen • 7:16

Impact of Mexico's immigration policy on the migrant crisis

President Obama sent a request to Congress yesterday for nearly $4 billion to stem the wave of Central American children and families attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico.

SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 17: Family members reunite through bars and mesh of the U.S.-Mexico border fence at Friendship Park on November 17, 2013 in San Diego, California. The U.S. Border Patrol allows people on the American side to visit with friends and family through the fence on weekends, although under supervision from Border Patrol agents. Access to the fence from the Tijuana, Mexico side is 24/7. Deportation and the separation of families is a major theme in the immigration reform debate. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

President Obama sent a request to Congress yesterday for nearly $4 billion to stem the wave of Central American children and families attempting to cross into the U.S. from Mexico.

The crisis at the U.S. Mexico border is only part of the problem. The women and children who are attempting to reach the U.S. have already made one border crossing — from their Central American home countries into Mexico across its southern border.

Gustavo Mohar is a former senior immigration official for the Mexican government. He joins Take Two to talk about how Mexico's deals with immigrants from Central America.