President vows to fight for rights of Mexicans
By TRACI CARL
The Associated Press

FELIPE CALDERON MEXICO CITY -- President Felipe Calderon criticized U.S. immigration policies Sunday and promised to fight harder to protect the rights of Mexicans in the U.S., saying, "Mexico does not end at its borders."

The criticism earned Calderon a standing ovation during his first state-of-the-nation address.

"We strongly protest the unilateral measures taken by the U.S. Congress and government that have only persecuted and exacerbated the mistreatment of Mexican undocumented workers," he said. "The insensitivity toward those who support the U.S. economy and society has only served as an impetus to reinforce the battle ... for their rights."

He also reached out to the millions of Mexicans living in the United States, many illegally: "Where there is a Mexican, there is Mexico."

Since taking office in December, Calderon has maintained strong ties with the U.S. but has often denounced U.S. immigration policy.