Spring 1862: Legislation Passed by Congress and President
The process to get legislation passed after the election was one filled with various beliefs and many debates. The first major piece of work to reach the Congress floor was the
African-American Inclusion Act that excluded the black population in Mexico that bars Americans from service in politics, as it was noted that ex-slaves are allies of Mexico and should not be treated the same as members of the KKK. Senator Santiago Valentin de Montes was the one that presented and argued for the approval of this act.
After the presentation of the first major piece of legislation, Senator Jose Morales came forward with his own proposals. The first being the
Mexican-Colombian Wartime Trading Pact. The original writing of this stipulated that Mexico is to set aside a sizeable sum for assisting Colombia in the war and attempting peace talks between Colombia and Britain. After fierce debates and legislative gridlock it was agreed that this pact would only come into effect were Colombia in a dangerous situation, and peace would only be discussed if either side wished for the war to end. The legislation ended up barely making its way through Congress with President Comonfort approving its passage.
The second piece of legislation proposed by Senator Jose Morales was the
Mexican Naturalization Act, which proposed that non-native Mexicans be taught Spanish and that Catholic missions be set up in American territory. Though there was an initial debate that fiercely contested the morality of attempting to "push" another language and religion on others, the legislation ended up passing with little resistance except from the most left-leaning of Liberales.
With the passing of two pieces of legislation involving Americans, President Comonfort thought it necessary that he do something as well, to help solve other issues in American lands. After signing off on all pieces of legislation, the Comonfort Administration announced the signing of an executive order dubbed the
Ley Fuerzas Especiales (Special Forces Act). It was comprised of two pieces. The first was a general statement that would create a division in the army dedicated to specific missions that general soldiers could not do. The second piece created a very specific task force that would be used to infiltrate KKK areas and take out key officials. In the order it demanded that a certain number of these soldiers be black as well as white hispanic and non-white hispanic. The creation of the task force was proof to many that Comonfort was going to take the KKK very seriously, and has every intention in trying to destroy them.