From Harris Whitbeck
                 CNN Mexico City Bureau Chief

                 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Mexican government plan to help immigrants
                 who are trying to cross into the United States has rapidly become a
                 diplomatic issue.

                 Last year, 369 people died struggling across the swirling rivers and scorching
                 deserts that constitute the U.S.-Mexico border. Just Wednesday, 12 men died
                 near Yuma, Arizona, as they were being smuggled north.

                 The new plan is to issue survival kits to would-be migrants. The kits, put together
                 by the Mexican Social Security administration, include antidotes for snake bites,
                 rehydration tablets, first-aid materials and dried foods to use on protracted crossings.

                 "We know their health needs, we know their education issues. We understand,"
                 said Juan Hernandez, of the Mexican Presidential Office for Mexicans Abroad.

                 Beginning June 18, some 200,000 kits will be distributed by health workers along
                 the border.

                 Encouraging people to break the law?

                 The plan has officials from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
                 less than happy.

                 "It gives the perception to our U.S. public that the Mexican government is
                 encouraging people to break U.S. laws by entering the country illegally," said
                 Hipolito Scosta, the INS district director.

                 Mexican officials insist that is not the case.

                 "It is in no way designed specifically to help Mexicans get into the United States
                 illegally," Hernandez said. From his perspective, Mexico needs to do more for
                 the tens of thousands who attempt the dangerous crossing each year because
                 they contribute to the economies on both sides of the border.

                 "They are the new pioneers of America," he said. "These are individuals who are
                 not second-class citizens, and they are working very hard."

                 But the United States is hoping for a different approach. Diplomats say they
                 would prefer to see Mexico do more to warn would-be illegal migrants of the
                 dangers involved, and to increase crackdowns on migrant smugglers.

                 Mexico says it is doing what is right -- taking care of its own.