Border Beat: Violence Crosses to U.S. as Mexico Promotes Tourism

February 24 Border Beat

El Paso woman gets hit by bullet from Mexico; Spring break travel warnings to Mexico; LA Police chief wants undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses; dangerous area of Mexico City now tourist attraction

Mexican drug violence spills into Texas

A 48-year-old woman was walking with her children through downtown El Paso when she was struck in the calf by a bullet Tuesday. Police believe the bullet came from the neighboring border city, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The woman was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

This happened the same day Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was visiting several sites in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Prior to the shooting, Napolitano stated: "That kind of spillover violence we have not seen. The sheriffs I just met with told me they haven't seen it.”

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Warning to American tourists traveling to Mexico for spring break

The U.S. State Department is telling Americans to avoid travel in 14 out of 31 of Mexico’s states due to the war on drugs, including all areas of Chihuahua and Durango.

More than 100,000 Americans travel to Mexico for spring break, according to the State Department. No warnings have been issued for states with the hot destination spots of Cabo San Lucas and Cancún, however some cruise companies have halted services to the ports of call in Mazatlán.

The department says to use caution at night and in the mornings.

LA Police chief: issuing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants is a good idea

Charlie Beck, Los Angeles police chief, thinks issuing special drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants would make the roads much safer. This would require all drivers to pass a difficult test and it would provide them with proof that they are legally able to drive.

Beck also believes that this would cut down on hit and run accidents. Undocumented immigrant drivers won’t need to worry about getting caught when questioned at the scene of crash. They would not be issued a standard license, more likely one that is provisional or non-resident, Beck said.

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Dangerous parts of Mexico City now tourist attraction

It’s not far from a historic area of Mexico City, but it is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods. And it’s luring in tourists. Organized groups are now touring markets and cantinas known for its dope and prostitutes. One can even take in a visit to some of the area’s pornographic theaters.

One local historian takes groups on tours based on their interests, from food to historical sites, to the area's “informal economy” centers.

If foreigners choose to visit, they are told to do so with caution.

The area of Mexico City has been in decline since a 1985 earthquake, but it is now attracting more people.