Thread: Mexico universities cancel exchange program with Arizona

Mexico universities cancel exchange program with Arizona

May 7, 2010

The National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, has decided to cancel an academic exchange program with the University of Arizona, or UA, over the state's new illegal immigration law. The autonomous university in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi also canceled an exchange program with UA because of concerns that Mexican students may be harassed under the new law.

UNAM Rector Jose Narro Robles notified UA President Robert Shelton this week of the decision to suspend the program with the Tucson, Ariz., campus. Shelton replied in a letter expressing disappointment in the UNAM decision, calling the law "poorly conceived."

"I am deeply saddened by this turn of events, but completely sympathetic to your sentiments," Shelton wrote Narro Robles, according to a copy of the letter the university made available to La Plaza. "Along with you, we believe that our legislature has reached too far in this matter, and we are gravely concerned about the potential impact on critical international relationships such as yours."

About 200 Mexican students study at UA, reports the Arizona Republic. UNAM's Robles -- who oversees a university with more than 300,000 students, making it one of the world's largest -- had been sharply critical of the bill before Gov. Jan Brewer signed it last month.

UNAM officials said students affected by the decision to cancel the program with UA would be distributed either to Stanford University in Northern California or Kingston College in England.

On Thursday, a coalition of civil rights organizations in the United States announced a boycott of Arizona after Brewer signed the law, which would allow local police officers to ask for documents of anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza ... a+Plaza%29

Fine by me and I am sure by most people in AZ.

Mexico just hurting Mexicans once again! Over what Mexico? Mexican govt condemns illegal immigration way worse than the US but that doesn't matter. Mexico's double standard will be its end. And keeps its people oppressed and ignorant.

Who would even want to be an exchange student in Mexico? There are so many better places in the world. Actually, this will probably save some students their lives. I dont see any decrease in the violence that is now plaguing Mexico due to the drug cartels.

Originally Posted by redpony353

Who would even want to be an exchange student in Mexico? There are so many better places in the world. Actually, this will probably save some students their lives. I dont see any decrease in the violence that is now plaguing Mexico due to the drug cartels.

Ditto that RP!

Fine by me.

Why would a major United States University want to place their students in danger by sending them to a lawless Third World country? I read a couple of weeks ago that a Texas University recalled students from mexico; seems like a very positive action.

2 Mexican schools halt UA programs over AZ law
Posted: May 07, 2010 7:50 PM CDT
Updated: May 07, 2010 7:50 PM CDT
PHOENIX (AP) - A pair of Mexican universities have halted student-exchange programs with the University of Arizona because of the state's tough new immigration law.

Officials at UA say the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi in eastern Mexico were worried their students would be harassed.

The decision immediately affects 14 students who were scheduled to visit this summer.

Francisco Marmolejo of the UA says they include four nursing students from San Luis Potosi and 10 scientific researchers from UNAM, as the national college is known.

University president Robert Shelton sent a letter to both universities expressing disappointment. Marmolejo says the UA respects the decision and understands their concerns.

©2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Comments

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S= ... ormat=HTML

Illegals boycotting Arizona is exactly what we desire.

Sounds like a USA win win situation to me.

Maybe they would like to take some Mexican IA's students here to fill the USA students places in Mejico.