An opportunity for Peña Nieto

The ties that bind California and Mexico are many and diverse. Economics, culture, and population are the foundations of a relationship that promises to grow stronger with President Enrique Peña Nieto’s two-day visit to our state.

The leader’s arrival mirrors California Governor Jerry Brown’s visit to Mexico one month ago to discuss trade and investment issues. On that occasion, mutual collaboration was agreed on the environment, college education, trade, labor and energy.

Peña Nieto’s visit will reaffirm what was discussed, but also provides an opportunity to talk to Mexican-American community leaders. We hope the President will seize this opportunity.

Expectations for this presidential visit are not particularly high in the Mexican community, but Peña Nieto can address his fellow citizens’ concerns about public insecurity in Mexico that they experience through their loved ones. Downplaying the importance of security harms the president’s credibility among Mexicans on both sides of the border.

In Los Angeles there is also a large Central American community that would like to hear from the President on the specific measures Mexico is taking to safeguard the integrity of immigrant minors crossing through the country.

Mexico is now the largest market for Californian products, and would like to be the same target for investments. There are some investors in California’s Mexican community that would like to forge economic bonds beyond mere family remittances, but are wary of corruption.

With his visit, President Peña Nieto can have an impact on some of the concerns of his community in California, but not on others, such as regularizing the status of the undocumented. Addressing them directly and realistically will build trust among the majority of Mexicans in California and will fulfill the stated goal of strengthening ties with his fellow citizens on this side of the border.