Mexico launching U.S. offensive for illegal immigrants
The Dallas Morning News
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.04.2007

DALLAS — The Mexican government is giving its consulates in the U.S. more resources and wide latitude to ramp up a campaign to toughen its defense of immigrants, officials said.

The move comes amid record-level deportations and the toughest crackdown in decades by the U.S. government and law enforcement.
Among the actions under discussion are the creation of an anti-defamation league similar to that focused on protecting Jews; budget increases for some of the 47 consulates — especially in regions where illegal Mexican migration has been swift and plentiful; and a media campaign aimed at counteracting groups opposed to illegal immigration.
The effort underscores the tension in U.S. communities grappling with problems created by illegal immigration. And it is sure to further incense groups already demanding a crackdown on immigration, both legal and illegal.

Jean Towell, the president of Dallas-based Citizens for Immigration Reform, called the move "arrogant," saying that the Mexican government does not "have the right to meddle in our affairs."

"They have come out before saying it is wrong for us to meddle in Mexico's affairs," she said. "They are losing human capital. It would be better if they provided the right kind of incentives to keep their people there. It is a no-brainer."

Mexican government officials gave few additional details about the plan but said it would cover 11 million first-generation nationals, half of whom live in an "irregular migratory situation."

Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, said the plan "is guaranteed to backfire."

"They may feel that if they want an amnesty, they have to try," he said. But "they are going to be directly engaging in American politics. That is something American consuls would be deported for."
Krikorian said he was surprised by the new approach because Mexico's current U.S. ambassador, Arturo Sarukkhan, usually chooses his words so carefully.

Nearly two dozen U.S.-based immigrant leaders flew to Mexico City recently to meet with senior officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Interior Ministry to discuss the strategy. The Foreign Ministry and its Institute for Mexicans Abroad, or IME, is carrying out the government's plan.

"Bridges of understanding"

Mario Ramirez, a Dallas businessman and Mexican immigrant who attended the meeting, said he knows his loyalty to the U.S., as a naturalized citizen, will be questioned.

But "as descendants of Mexicans and citizens of the United States, we feel it is our responsibility to create bridges of understanding because the anti-Mexican mood in the United States is causing us — and both countries — much harm," he said. "What do we have to lose anymore? We've been beaten up to the point that all we can do is fight back . . . Things will get worst before they get better."

Foreign Ministry officials officially called the meeting part of a "strategy" by President Felipe Calderón to "reinforce consultations and communications with organizations dedicated to the defense of the rights of migrants. . . ."

Quiet diplomacy has failed, said those at the Mexico City meeting. As evidence, they pointed to what they call the "venomous" debate over illegal immigration and the death of legislation this summer to overhaul U.S. immigration laws.

"There is a sense that nothing will happen in the next two years in the U.S. Congress so Mexican immigrants are determined to keep the issue alive and defend themselves with efforts like funding their own anti-defamation league," said Andres Rozental, a former Mexican ambassador and private consultant. "That in itself is quite an impressive statement."

The Mexico City meeting took place Sept. 15, the start of Mexico's Independence Day festivities. Hours later, at the National Palace, President Calderón gave the traditional grito of independence from Spain. Revelers in Dallas viewed a taped message in which Calderón boldly expressed his disappointment over the "lack of political good will" that led to the failure of an immigration overhaul.

The tension created by Congress' failure to overhaul a broken immigration system is evident in cities across the country — where local and state governments are taking it upon themselves to address problems created by illegal immigration.
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