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Frank Cagle, Columnist 4:03 a.m. ET March 1, 2017

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Since the North American Free Trade Agreement has been in effect for more than two decades, is it so unreasonable to suggest that it would benefit from a review and some amendments? The free trade fanatics go berserk at the very suggestion that our trade relations with Mexico need adjustment.

Mexico has had 23 years to benefit from open-border trade, yet its citizens still make the dangerous trek to try to illegally immigrate to the United States. That's because more than 50 percent of the Mexican population exists below the poverty level. Working conditions for American manufacturing plants in Mexico have done little to raise the standard of living for the average Mexican. At $1 an hour and no benefits, is it any wonder that American companies relocate there and ship their products back to us?

Could not the NAFTA treaty be amended to encourage Mexico to do more to curb illegal immigration? Why is it incumbent on the United States to try to stop illegal immigration when the country from which immigrants are fleeing is doing so little to improve the standard of living and seemingly making little effort to stop it?

Instead of President Donald Trump trying to make them pay for a wall, how about requiring that Mexico do more to make immigration less attractive? The original NAFTA agreement called for better labor and environmental standards in Mexico, which makes the U.S.more competitive. Mexico has largely ignored the requirements. Enforce them. Demand strengthening border security on the Mexican side. All of these issues could be dealt with in a renegotiation of NAFTA.

NAFTA also prohibited Mexican-based companies fromimporting parts and raw materials, from China for instance, another provision that is being ignored. Components are supposed to be from North America.

Those who would like to see comprehensive immigration reform have to realize that it will not happen until the American people are convinced we finally have control of the border. Previous reforms allowing permanent residency opened the floodgates for even more illegal immigration. A wall, a virtual wall, deporting illegals who are gang members and criminals, cooperation from the Mexicans via a re-negotiated NAFTA -- the American people have to be confident that any reform gets control of illegal immigration for good.

America needs legal immigrants from Mexico. Set up a system that allows people to come and work and then go home legally. Make it easier for legal immigration to occur from our nearest neighbor. But politically, demonstrated by Trump's major campaign theme, no solutions will be found until there is a system in place subject to the rule of law. And it starts with using NAFTA to bring Mexico to the bargaining table.

Frank Cagle is a columnist and former managing editor of the News Sentinel. He may be reached at efrankcagle@yahoo.com.

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Frank Cagle: Renegotiate NAFTA to fight illegal immigration - Knoxville News Sentinel