Report from Kelly USA About Mexican Military Relief Efforts in U.S.

September 16,2005

Susan Tully, National Field Director and Rick Oltman Western Field Director, while in Texas working with activists, wanted to observe and report on the deployment of the Mexican Army assisting the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Mexican Army entered the United States at Laredo, Texas a week ago.

The first thing you see when you approached their encampment on the former Kelly Air Force Base, is the large red, white and green Mexican flag. Mexican soldiers in dark green uniforms standing in groups, lounging in the back of troop transports are visable. According to Mexican Officials approximately 200 troops are at the location. When asked what their specific purpose at the site was, Mexican soldiers stated they were providing meals to hurricane victims, 1500 meals per day. A bus driver interviewed by Oltman, stated he brought Katrina victims to San Antonio two weeks ago and they were beginning to return home to Louisiana.

Tully asked if the Army served Mexican nationals who were displaced by Katrina, but Mexican Army officials said they haven’t seen any. They said if there were Mexican Nationals affected by Katrina, they probably just went back to Mexico, or relocated to another American city because most of them do not have immigration documents.

The Mexican soldiers had one tent, with a satellite uplink, which provided direct communications with commanders in Mexico. In addition, they housed an on-site pharmacy, a food storage tent, sleeping quarters and two dining tents. There are about 40 Mexican Army trucks on site, as well as three portable water purification vehicles. None of the Mexican Soldiers observed carried weapons. Tully interviewed a Mexican Army Officer who said they came in the Katrina aftermath to demonstrate friendship to the United States. The officer a twenty year career soldier agreed with Tully, that while Mexico is a very rich country, it does little to help its citizens.

The Officer said he has friends and family throughout the United States and has traveled here extensively. He admitted his children will be attending the last two years of high school and college in the United States, because they will have more opportunity here. The officer admitted that Mexico only requires its children to attend school until the 6th grade. Many families are so poor they need their children to work to help support the family and the Mexican Government endorses it by allowing 6th graders to stop the education.

The officer agreed with Tully that Mexico is a wealthy nation, has numerous resources, but provides little or no opportunity to Mexican citizens. The officer stated that it is difficult to get Mexicans to work in Mexico even though jobs exist. He said they prefer the United States dollar to the peso, and they find it easier to enter the United States then to live with a lesser wage.

We did not see any armed Mexican soldiers at this location, although there was an armed U.S. military presence.

Susan Tully, National Field Director for FAIR