Thread: U.S. immigration laws spark anger in Mexico

U.S. immigration laws spark anger in Mexico

By Jeremy Schwartz
Cox International Correspondent
Published on: 11/18/07

Mexico City —- Anger in Mexico is growing in the wake of a number of new state laws in the United States, including those in Georgia, Oklahoma and Arizona, considered by critics to be anti-Mexican —- a shift likely reflected in President Felipe Calderon's verbal lashing last week of U.S. presidential candidates.

In tougher rhetoric toward U.S. immigration policies, Calderon scolded presidential candidates for using migrants as "thematic hostages" and announced a media campaign aimed at influencing American public opinion.

Calderon's comments represented a dramatic departure from the more timid statements of past leaders and were welcomed by many in Mexico.

"I think the current American government has gone too far against illegal Mexicans," said Fernando Garcia, a 36-year-old Mexico City office administrator. "I don't like the raids and how they destroy families [and] ... the hate they are generating against Mexicans."

Such sentiment contrasts with the decidedly cooler reaction much of Mexico gave to the millions of immigrants who took to the streets of Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Austin and other U.S. cities in the spring and summer of 2006 to demand an overhaul of immigration laws.

At that time, the seeming indifference and lack of supporting protests in Mexico irritated many migrant rights advocates.

But since then, immigration reform efforts on Capitol Hill have stalled, while a series of stiff state laws were enacted and the U.S. government started building a wall along the border.

In Georgia, new state laws require increased verification of legal status to register a car and hold some jobs. They also require that local officials alert federal immigration agents to any suspected illegal immigrants booked on felony or DUI charges.

Supporters in the United States say such laws are designed to curb illegal migration. But many in Mexico see them as discriminatory, while failing to address the larger issue of U.S. immigration policy.

"Bush is the modern-day Hitler, the same as the rest of his party," said Antonio Gonzalez, a 35-year-old Mexico City accountant. "They don't treat the Russians or English or other white Europeans like that, and so for me they are a bunch of racists."

The Calderon administration last week also blasted the U.S.-backed border wall, releasing a study labeling it "medieval" and an environmental risk and calling on Congress to rethink the idea.

Mexico, which often reacts with anger to even a hint of U.S. meddling in its internal affairs, has been loath to comment so directly on internal U.S. politics in recent years.

"Every day there is more demand for the Mexican government to take a stronger position," said Manuel Angel Castillo, coordinator of the Migration Seminary at the College of Mexico. "The immigration reform generated a lot of expectation, but as we all know that didn't happen. Instead they approved a series of undesirable actions and all these things are now creating a lot of irritation."

At a migrant advocates' conference last week in Mexico City, attendees cited some 170 anti-immigrant measures adopted by local and state governments in the United States. Many said the time had come to directly confront what is increasingly seen as a rising tide of xenophobia.

"Just the idea that our children will live in ... humiliation is something we cannot allow," said Alonso Flores, member of the Institute of Mexicans in the Exterior, an agency of the Mexican government that fosters ties with Mexicans living abroad.

His agency estimates that 1 million Mexicans will be deported in the coming year from the United States as a result of the new laws.

Calderon, in a speech to the conference, said a new media campaign would change the "distorted" perceptions Americans have about Mexican workers and build consciousness of the "many contributions they make for the society in which they work and live."

Experts in Mexico say it's too early to tell whether Calderon's comments signal a change in how the Mexican government deals with American politics.

"I think the current American government has gone too far against illegal Mexicans," said Fernando Garcia, a 36-year-old Mexico City office administrator. "I don't like the raids and how they destroy families [and] ... the hate they are generating against Mexicans."

Nope, sorry, they are here against OUR laws. Want to keep families together? Then THINK before breaking and entering!

Experts in Mexico say it's too early to tell whether Calderon's comments signal a change in how the Mexican government deals with American politics

Mexico would have no say in American politics if the federal and state governments were not riddled with people trying to force the re-population of America by Mexico. If the laws on treason can only be prosecuted during wars, can we get them for spying for the Mexican government? How about bribery charges?

I suppose if I lived in Mexico I would be angry too.I mean after all if we enforce our laws remittances dries up and they need to depend on their government instead of the US .

Trouble is they are angry at the wrong people,they need to look in the mirror and ask themselves what have they done to change their government and improve their lives without using the USA as a crutch and a scape goat !

they better be glad im not president,. id tell them to shut the hell up and mind your own business. then i would expel everyone from all 43 consulates in the US and make them go home, and start a massive ICE raids all over the country. then put military on the border

When is someone (anyone) in our Government going to stand up and tell Calderon and Mexico’s 3rd world, dirt bag, so-called government to F-off!

"I think the current American government has gone too far against illegal Mexicans," said Fernando Garcia, a 36-year-old Mexico City office administrator. "I don't like the raids and how they destroy families [and] ... the hate they are generating against Mexicans."

Originally Posted by jamesw62

they better be glad im not president,. id tell them to shut the hell up and mind your own business. then i would expel everyone from all 43 consulates in the US and make them go home, and start a massive ICE raids all over the country. then put military on the border

I am with you. Our president is interested in globalization so much that he has no backbone to stand up to those idiots.

"Just the idea that our children will live in ... humiliation is something we cannot allow," said Alonso Flores, member of the Institute of Mexicans in the Exterior, an agency of the Mexican government that fosters ties with Mexicans living abroad.

If you don't like it, then bring 'em back to Mexico where they belong.

The Mexican people seem to think their above the law in OUR COUNTRY!

They should fix their country and get ready to receive their citizens back with open arms. Especially, since they think so much of them and their lawlessness.