We all know that the issue of what to do about the illegal immigration issue is one of the most divisive topics among Americans these days. But as the New York Times describes, it increasingly divides citizens and politicians in Mexico as well:

A wall could dissuade illegal immigrants from their perilous journeys across the Sonora Desert and force societies on both sides to confront their dependence on an industry characterized by exploitation, they say.

The old blame game -- in which Mexico attributed illegal migration to the voracious American demand for labor and accused lawmakers of xenophobia -- has given way to a far more soul-searching discussion, at least in quarters where policies are made and influenced, about how little Mexico has done to try to keep its people home.

“For too long, Mexico has boasted about immigrants leaving, calling them national heroes, instead of describing them as actors in a national tragedy,” said Jorge Santibáñez, president of the College of the Northern Border. “And it has boasted about the growth in remittances” -- the money immigrants send home -- “as an indicator of success, when it is really an indicator of failure.”

The article also notes that Mexico’s President Vincente Fox has increasingly talked about how Mexico needs to do a better job at providing job opportunities inside Mexico to keep more of its citizens at home, rather than indirectly pushing them to illegal enter the U.S. At the same time, there is still considerable opposition among many Mexicans about the negative symbolism that a wall between the U.S. and Mexico would create.

Ultimately, I see this trend as a positive one -- that Mexican officials should spend more time and resources thinking about how to improve the social and economic conditions inside their country that would give their citizens more incentive to stay put, rather than come to the U.S. illegally.

That is, internal economic development fits well with the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes not just strengthened border enforcement but also addressing the root causes of inequality that motivate Mexicans to become illegal immigrants.

In other words, reform can and should happen with both sides of the issue.