STEARNS “THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO SHOULD NOT INTERFERE IN AMERICAN AFFAIRS”
PRESIDENT OF MEXICO CALDERON URGES CONGRESS TO ENACT IMMIGRATION REFORM AND CONDEMNS ARIZONA’S IMMIGRATION LAW
Washington,
May 20 -
“I welcome President Calderon of Mexico to the United States, but it was totally inappropriate for him to propose legislative action in our nation on illegal immigration and to condemn Arizona’s immigration law,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “These laws are internal matters for the United States and President Calderon should focus on addressing the crime, corruption, and poverty in Mexico that causes so much of our nation’s illegal immigration.”
In his address to Congress today, Calderon called on Congress to reform its immigration laws and to "fix a broken and inefficient system." He also condemned the immigration law recently enacted in Arizona, saying "It is a law that not only ignores the reality, but also introduces a terrible idea of racial profiling."
Added Stearns, “Our immigration laws are among the most open and humane in the world, and we have every right to protect our borders and to control immigration. As for the Arizona law, Calderon does not understand that it specifically prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. In addition, it is based upon a 1940 federal law requiring aliens to carry registration documents on their person.”
Stearns also noted the hypocrisy of President Calderon: “Under the provisions of Mexico’s General Population Law, ‘Authorities, whether federal, state or municipal . . . are required to demand that foreigners prove their legal presence in the country, before attending to any issues.’ In addition, not too long ago, it was a felony to enter Mexico illegally and that nation allowed a native-born Mexican to make a citizen’s arrest of illegal aliens and to turn them over to the authorities.”
