President Calderón
Pledges To Help Migrants Fight Arizona Law
"This situation outrages and
saddens us, and at the same time drives us to decidedly go faster, go stronger,
and be closer to Mexicans in the United States, and particularly in the
state of Arizona. … Because no one can sit back with arms crossed when
confronted with decisions that so clearly affect our fellow countrymen, who for
generations have contributed to the growth of the United States."
President Felipe Calderón has harshly criticized Arizona Law SB 1070 as 'opportunist electioneering and an open door to hate, racial discrimination, intolerance and abuse.' But can he in fact, do anything about it?
By condemning
Arizona Law SB 1070 as opportunist electioneering and an open door to hate,
racial discrimination, intolerance and abuse, President Felipe Calderón called on Mexicans in the U.S. to organize
and join his government in finding a comprehensive solution to the migration phenomenon.
At a meeting with 128 migrant
leaders settled in the country, the president vowed yesterday to defend the
interests of his fellow compatriots through Mexican consulates and during his
next visit in May, both with the U.S. Congress and President Barak Obama, who Calderón acknowledged for his stance rejecting the
Arizona law.
"It is our duty to act,
act together, act now, and act in concert. This situation outrages and saddens
us, and at the same time drives us to decidedly go faster, go stronger, and be
closer to Mexicans in the United States, and particularly in the state of
Arizona," he stated at the inauguration of the Advisory Counsel of
Mexicans Abroad.
Addressing the counselors and
leaders of migrant settlement communities in the United States who came to Los Pinos [the presidential
residence], Calderón proposed turning the situation into an opportunity to
strengthen Mexico's position in the debate on immigration, the goal being to prove
with facts and solid arguments that these people aren't part of the problem,
but part of the solution.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
He also pledged to utilize
all resources at his disposal and sparing no effort, to defend those affected
by this law which, because of its racists effects, he anticipated could lead to
further persecution of Mexican Americans.
He instructed Foreign
Secretary Patricia Espinosa and the five consulates in Arizona, with U.S. law "in
hand," to intensify their protection programs - because Mexico respects the
sovereignty of other nations to decide on their policies, he asserted, but neither
can we turn our backs on them.
"We're going to act, we're
acting, and we will act more. Because no one can sit back with arms crossed
when confronted with decisions that so clearly affect our fellow countrymen,
who for generations have contributed to the growth (of the United
States)," he stated.
