May 07, 2006

SOUTH OF THE BORDER, DOWN MEXICO WAY

From the other side of the fence.....This is from Tom
O'Malley, who was a Director with SW BELL in Mexico
City:

"I spent five years working in Mexico. I worked under a tourist
Visa for three months and could legally renew it for three more
months. Working after that, would be working illegally. I was
technically illegal for three weeks, while waiting on the FM3
approval

During that six months, our Mexican and US attorneys were
working to secure a permanent work visa called a FM3. It was
in addition to my US passport, and I had to show it each time I
entered and left the country. My wife, Barbara's, was the same
except hers did not permit her to work.

To apply for the FM3 I needed to submit the following notarized
originals (not copies) of my:

1. Birth certificate for Barbara and me.

2. Marriage certificate.

3. High school transcripts and proof of graduation.

4. College transcripts for every college I attended and
proof of graduation.

5. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors I had
worked for at least one year.

6. A letter from The St. Louis Chief of Police indicating
that I had no arrest record in the US and no outstanding
warrants and was "a citizen in good standing."

7. Finally, I had to write a letter about myself that clearly
stated why there was no Mexican Citizen with my skills
and why my skills were important to Mexico. We called
it our "I am the greatest person on Earth" letter. It was
fun to write.

All of the above were in English that had to be translated
into Spanish and be certified as legal translations and our
signatures notarized. It produced a folder about 1.5 inches
thick with English on the left side and Spanish on the right.

Once they were completed Barbara and I spent about five
hours accompanied by a Mexican attorney. Touring Mexican
Government office locations and being photographed and
fingerprinted at least three times. At each location (we
remember at least four locations) we were instructed on
Mexican tax, labor, housing, and criminal law and that we
were required to obey their laws or face the consequences.
We could not protest any of the Government's actions or
we would be committing a felony. We paid out $4,000 in
fees and bribes to complete the process. When this was
done, we could legally bring in our household goods that
were held by US customs in Laredo Texas. This meant
that we had to rent furniture in Mexico while awaiting our
goods. There were extensive fees involved here, which the
company paid.

We could not buy a home; we were required to rent at
very high rates and under contract and compliance with
Mexican law.

We were required to get a Mexican drivers license. This
was an amazing process. The company arranged for the
licensing agency to come to our headquarters location
with their photography and fingerprint equipment and the
laminating machine. We showed our US license, were
photographed and fingerprinted again and issued the
license instantly after paying out a $6.00 fee. We did not
take a written or driving test and never received instructions
on the rules of the road. Our only instruction was never
give a policeman your license if stopped and asked. We
were instructed to hold it against the inside window away
from his grasp. If he got his hands on it you would have to
pay ransom to get it back.

We then had to pay and file Mexican income tax annually
using the number of our FM3 as our ID number. The company's
Mexican accountants did this for us and we just signed what
they prepared. It was about twenty legal size pages annually.
The FM 3 was good for three years and renewable for two
more after paying more fees.

Leaving the country meant turning in the FM# and certifying
that we were leaving no debts behind and no outstanding
legal affairs (warrants, tickets or liens) before our household
goods were released to customs.

It was a real adventure! If any of the US Senators or
Congressman had to go through it once, they would have a
different attitude toward Mexico.

The Mexican Government uses its vast military and police
forces to keep its citizens intimidated and compliant. They
never protest at their White house or government offices but
do protest daily in front of the United States Embassy. The
US embassy looks like a strongly reinforced fortress and
during most protests the Mexican Military surround the block
with their men standing shoulder to shoulder in full riot gear
to protect the Embassy. These protests are never shown on US
or Mexican TV. There is a large public park across the street
where they do their protesting. Anything can cause a protest
such as proposed law changes in California or Texas."