Dreier Praises Mexican Supreme Court Decision on Extradition

November 30, 2005

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), Chairman of the House Rules Committee, praised the decision of the Mexican Supreme Court to allow extradition for suspects facing life in prison in the United States for their crimes. The decision, which overturns a four year old ban on such extraditions, will now pave the way for more extraditions to the United States from Mexico. It follows a presentation Congressman Dreier made to the Mexican Supreme Court in 2004 advocating the change.

"The decision of the Mexican Supreme Court is a victory for justice on both sides of the border," Dreier said. "Prosecutors across the U.S. want the ability to prosecute suspected murderers who flee the border for their crimes, and the Mexican Supreme Court has now made that possible. When I made the case to the members of the Court nearly two years ago, I was confident that with time, change would come. I applaud the Court for recognizing the importance of the strong prosecution of justice for crimes committed in this country."

According to the Associated Press, Tuesday’s decision by the Supreme Court followed a change in the penal code of the Mexican state of Chihuahua to include life sentences in convictions involving homicides and kidnapping. That change was ruled constitutional by the Mexican Supreme Court. The Court’s decision overturns a 2001 ruling that blocked the extradition of suspects facing life in prison without the possibility of parole.