Thread: Former Mexico president: Cobb immigration policy 'going too

Former Mexico president: Cobb immigration policy 'going too far'
Vicente Fox, in Atlanta today, faced Minutemen protestors at Carter Center

By MARY LOU PICKEL
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/13/07

Mexico's former president, Vicente Fox, said there are two types of local governments when it comes to immigration: Those that are "humane" and understand the benefits of immigrant workers, and those that are "really going too far, and violating human rights in certain situations."

That was his response after a question about Cobb County's new program to deport illegal immigrants from its jail.

Fox arrived in Atlanta Monday for a book tour and talked with the AJC before he spoke at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum to about 150 people Monday.

A group of about 20 Minutemen, who oppose illegal immigration, carried placards and signs and confronted Fox outside the museum. They were asked to stand across the street, which they did. Later some came inside to hear him speak.

Fox referred to the protesters as "xenophobes," and said the immigration issue is "being managed by fear." While there is a legitimate concern about terrorism in the United States after Sept. 11, Mexican immigrants are not out to destroy the United States, he said.

"That is false. That is a lie," he said.

Jill Benson, 40, of Duluth, joined the protest outside, wearing a T-shirt with the word "Illegals" and a circle and slash through it. She's less concerned about terrorists and more concerned about code violators.

"You should see my neighborhood. It's turned into trash. You should see the graffiti, the litter, the vacant homes," Benson said.

"I've lived there 15 years and in the last two years it has turned into a barrio," she said.

The neighborhood is multicultural — white, black, Chinese, Indian and Hispanic," she said.

It's the illegal immigrants that have brought the neighborhood down, she said.

"Everyone who wants to live by our standards, speak English, follow our laws and respect the flag, they are welcome," Benson said.

Fox criticized CNN's Lou Dobbs and Fox News' Bill O'Reilly for their "violent aggression" on the immigration debate.

"I think they should be more tolerant and bring in more facts," he said.

"I'm inviting Lou Dobbs to Mexico to see what it's all about."

Fox is promoting his book, "Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President."

Today he holds a $500-a-plate fund-raiser in Smyrna at the Lime Taqueria and Tequila Bar for his presidential library in Guanajuato, the first such library for a Mexican president. The luncheon is sponsored by Rene Diaz, a Cuban American and owner of Atlanta-based Diaz Foods.

Fox was elected in 2000, the first candidate after more than 70 years to break the hold of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which had ruled the country for decades. When asked which candidate he supports for president in the United States, he would only say, "I go for women all the time. They have vision."

Fox opposes the wall to separate the United States from Mexico.

"I love this nation. I don't understand this nation — building walls in front of your neighbor, your friend, your partner," he said.

When asked what Mexico can do to create jobs so its people won't feel the need to immigrate, he responded that Mexicans do have jobs.

"It's not that they don't have jobs in Mexico, but that they make more money here," he said.

Mexicans pick produce, build homes and work in restaurants in the United States, he said.

"You get a good quality of life from these people working."
http://www.ajc.com:80/metro/content/met ... _1114.html

The Mexico should take care of their own and pay them more?

What he means is that Mexico does not give them free benefits that they steal from us here.

Go back home Fox, take your citizens (who are here illegally) with you and take care of them!

Has anyone ever seen Lou conduct himself with "violent aggression"? Vincente Fox is a nutjob who should be locked up.

Nut Job for sure ...lock him up in a looney bin inside Max security...I am all for that

Every Mexican living illegally in the United States is physical evidence of failure by those who are here legally and earlier illegals to invest in productive assets for income enhancement and job creation back home. Let them know that amnesty will not be an option that they need to prepare to return and such investments are going to increase and with it income and jobs.

Pull his visa!!!

Originally Posted by miguelina

The Mexico should take care of their own and pay them more?

What he means is that Mexico does not give them free benefits that they steal from us here.

Go back home Fox, take your citizens (who are here illegally) with you and take care of them!

Fox has become another illegal alien by staying in America and abandoning Mexico.

Why is Vicente Fox allowed to visit from city to city all accross America, and TELL US what he thinks about OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS? Why isn't anyone giving him THE BOOT!