Mexico Vows to Block Border-Wall Extension

[mantis]

I couldn't even make myself read the entire article.

Mexico Vows to Block Border-Wall Extension

By MARK STEVENSON, Associated Press Writer Wed Dec 21, 9:00 AM ET

linky

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican government, angered by a U.S. proposal to extend a wall along the border to keep out migrants, pledged Tuesday to block the plan and organize an international campaign against it.

Facing a growing tide of anti-immigrant sentiment north of the border, the government has taken out ads urging Mexican workers to denounce rights violations in the United States. It also is hiring an American public relations firm to improve its image and counter growing U.S. concerns about immigration.

Mexican President
Vicente Fox denounced the U.S. measures, passed by the House of Representatives Friday, as "shameful." His foreign secretary, Luis Ernesto Derbez, echoed his complaints on Tuesday.

"Mexico is not going to bear, it is not going to permit, and it will not allow a stupid thing like this wall," Derbez said.

"What has to be done is to raise a storm of criticism, as is already happening, against this," he said, promising to turn the international community against the plan.

At least 10 million Mexican citizens are believed to be living in the United States. U.S. authorities believe about half of them do not have papers.

In 2004, Mexican migrants north of the Rio Grande sent home more than $16 billion in remittances, according to Mexico's central bank, giving the nation its second biggest source of foreign currency after oil exports.

Some stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border are already marked by fences, but in some heavily trafficked sections walls have already been erected by the United States, often using 10-foot-high sections of military surplus steel. Those sections, which typically run several miles, can be found in southern Arizona and California.

It's hard to underestimate the ill-feeling the proposal has generated in Mexico, where editorial pages are dominated by cartoons of Uncle Sam putting up walls bearing anti-Mexican messages.

Many Mexicans, especially those who have spent time working in the U.S., feel the proposal is a slap in the face to those who work hard and contribute to the U.S. economy.

Fernando Robledo, 42, of the western state of Zacatecas, says the proposals could stem migration and disrupt families by breaking cross-border ties.

"When people heard this, it worried everybody, because this will affect everybody in some way, and their families," Robledo said. "They were incredulous. How could they do this, propose something like this?"

Robledo, whose son and mother are U.S. citizens, predicted the measure "would unleash conflict within the United States" as small businesses fail for lack of workers.

He said many Mexicans felt betrayed by the anti-immigrant sentiment.

"We learned to believe in the United States. We have a binational life," he said of Zacatecas, a state that has been sending migrants north for more than a century. "It isn't just a feeling of rejection. It's against what we see as part of our life, our culture, our territory."

The government is scrambling to fight on two fronts. On Monday, it announced it had hired Allyn & Company, a Dallas-based public relations company to help improve Mexico's image and stem the immigration backlash.

"If people in the U.S. and Canada had an accurate view of the success of democracy, political stability and economic prosperity in Mexico, it would improve their views on specific bilateral issues like immigration and border security," Rob Allyn, president of the PR firm, told The Associated Press Tuesday.

Jose Luis Soberanes, head of the government's National Human Rights Commission, suggested Mexico go further.

"I would expect more energetic reactions from our authorities," Soberanes told local media. "It's preferable to have a more demanding government, more confrontation with the United States."

Mexico has also said it is recruiting U.S. church, community and business groups to oppose the proposal.

And the government has stepped up its defense of migrants, airing a series of radio spots here aimed at migrants returning home for the holidays.

"Had a labor accident in the United States? You have rights ... Call," reads the ad, sponsored by Mexico's Foreign Relations Department, which has helped migrants bring compensation suits in the United States.

The sense of dread connected with the measures is hardly restricted to Mexico. Immigrant advocacy and aid groups in the United States are worried about provisions of the House bill that upgrade unlawful presence in the United States from a civil offense to a felony.

"It would have a horrific impact on immigrants right organizing and immigrant communities" in the United States, said Jennifer Allen of the Tucson, Ariz.-based Red de Accion Fronteriza.

The mistaken belief that the proposals are a done deal — they must still be submitted to the Senate — have caused "just complete fear and shock" among some activists and immigrants, Allen said.

The House bill, passed on a 239-182 vote, includes a proposal to build 700 miles of additional fence through parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. It would also enlist military and local law enforcement to help stop illegal entrants and require employers to verify the legal status of their workers.

Mexicans are outraged by the proposed measures, especially the extension of the border wall, which many liken to the Berlin Wall. Some are urging their government to fight it fiercely.

"Our president should oppose that wall and make them stop it, at all costs," said Martin Vazquez, 26, at the Mexico City airport as he returned from his job as a hotel worker in Las Vegas. "More than just insulting, it's terrible."

[Sully]

Fuck Vincente Fox.

If it pisses him off, I like that wall all the more.

[SanDiegoCJ]

Originally Posted by Sully

Fuck Vincente Fox.

If it pisses him off, I like that wall all the more.

Sharon and I were discussing that last night and we both feel the same way
as you do Sully.

[demonranger]

of course they are outraged they are going to loose thier 2nd biggest source of national income.

[usmcdoc14]

you can go back and visit your family ANY TIME you would like




as long as you are legal you can come back too

[Chister]

I think we all agree... anything that politically pisses of Vicente Fox... I am in favor of.

[ironpig70]

1) build the wall

2) enforce the laws in this country to stop illegals

3) enact a law that says "if your here illegally and get hurt your fawked" basically to stop this lawsuit mania

[Rockcrusher]

I like how Fox, the liberals and the media conveniently omit the word "illegal" when they spin the situation. I especially like to listen to the legal immigrants I know from Mexico & central america rag on the illegals.

[ironpig70]

Originally Posted by Rockcrusher

I like how Fox, the liberals and the media conveniently omit the word "illegal" when they spin the situation. I especially like to listen to the legal immigrants I know from Mexico & central america rag on the illegals.

illegals thats so racist they are not called "illegals" any more they are called "undocumented workers"

[rockota]

Originally Posted by ironpig70

illegals thats so racist they are not called "illegals" any more they are called "undocumented workers"

Yeah - wasn't there just a big hoopla over the use of the term illegal because people consider it racist?

And Fox' response is only going to further build resolve in (most) American's that this is the right thing to do. Unfortunately, the vocal minority struggles with the use of logic and critical thinking.

[Moab Austin]

can we sue him for eroding our national security?

[ironpig70]

Originally Posted by Moab Austin

can we sue him for eroding our national security?

and he's going to pay us in tequila and tamales

[rusted]

Originally Posted by Moab Austin

can we sue him for eroding our national security?

I know that in the days when America wasnt' completely feminized and cowed into submission, we would never stand for another sovereign power dictating our domestic affairs, as in deciding which borders we can and can't secure. That's an act of war AFAIC.

[Blazilla]

Where can I send my donations to support the building of the wall?

Doc and Piggy have it right.

You can visit your family whenever you want and return IF YOU'RE LEGAL.
This is the United States of America. One nation. All these terms like "multinational" and "bilateral" are liberal BS trying to justify breaking the law. Countries have borders for a reason, much like I have my yard fenced for a reason. California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico are not Mexico. Those four states are not called "the United States of America/Mexico." Why is anyone even pretending to give half a rats ass what the president of Mexico thinks about building a wall IN AMERICA???

I better stop now...

[kodiak1232003]

Originally Posted by rusted

I know that in the days when America wasnt' completely feminized and cowed into submission, we would never stand for another sovereign power dictating our domestic affairs, as in deciding which borders we can and can't secure. That's an act of war AFAIC.

but wait, we have to be careful 'cause we have our national interests to protect.

-What about the large oil sup....no, no oil there....hmmm...

-What about needed allies in our war in ira....no, mexico's military is a joke...hmmmm...

-What about trade and imported goods fro....no, mexico's products are Sh$t...


Why do we give a crap what they say again?....lol

[rusted]

Originally Posted by Blazilla

Where can I send my donations to support the building of the wall?


I better stop now...

Why stop?

Mexican immigrants have a STRONG reputation for hard work and good values. There is only a few things that could destroy a lot of romantic notions about the 'hardworking immigrant' that a lot of American citizens have, and actions like Fox qualify.

People wouldn't even be that indignant about sending money home to Mexico. So what if they send money home?

But to be just BRAZEN about illegal immigration, to call it a HUMAN RIGHT, and to label legitimate objections to illegal acts as RACISM, those tactics are RUINING the image of the LEGAL Mexican immigrant in this country.

[61scout80]

so let me get this right. people are fleeing his country in droves and this guy wants to prevent the US from providing a way to keep his residents in his country....

besides that, 1 10' wall isn't going to help... those damn cubans have an ocean and those crazy bastards still float in on doors every day....

[Blazilla]

Originally Posted by rusted

Why stop? Before I let my anger start speaking instead of my logic.
Mexican immigrants have a STRONG reputation for hard work and good values. Yep, illegals and legals both.

There is only a few things that could destroy a lot of romantic notions about the 'hardworking immigrant' that a lot of American citizens have, and actions like Fox qualify. Agreed, though personally I'm to the point where when I think of the romantic version, I'm forced to go back in time and across the map to New England. The problem of modern illegals clouds my opinion and I instinctually profile, and usually it's not in a positive light.

People wouldn't even be that indignant about sending money home to Mexico. So what if they send money home? If you're here legally, I don't care what you do with your money. If one person can come here legally, and support extended families in his homeland, bravo for him in taking that step.
But to be just BRAZEN about illegal immigration, to call it a HUMAN RIGHT, and to label legitimate objections to illegal acts as RACISM, those tactics are RUINING the image of the LEGAL Mexican immigrant in this country. Bingo. I know that if you're here illegally, I want you gone, regardless of your race. Yes, the focus is on Mexico here, and while I have no statistics to back this up, I'd bet that they are BY FAR the highest population of ILLEGALS in the country. It's not racist, it's national defense.

see above

[ironpig70]

the problem i see is 2 fold. 1st we have a bunch of jobs here that pay really low wages and whites folks won't do it so we hire illegals. 2nd the laws o stop illegals is not effective.

we need to build a fence, not a wall, between us and Mexico. i propose a 10' high chain link fence, then a 10' open space and then a 50,000 volt wire fence 10' high and 10 feet of open ground and another 10 foot fence. the wire fence in the center is what prisons use. touch one wire and the ground and you fry. touch two wires and you fry. this fence would be 100 yards into America.

next enact the "illegals can't sue bill" which states if your here illegally you cannot sue anybody for any reason.

next we clean out the prisons. yes folks if you are convicted of a crime in this country you will do a job. i feel its a way to reduce crime and make inmates repay society. to prevent escape we shackle two inmates together. and if you run the guards are fully authorized to shoot to kill

and lastly if any company is found to have hired illegals and they knew about it then there would be a massive penalty for such an act first offense is 10% of your yearly earning, second offense is 25%, third offense is 50% and on your fourth your business and all its holding become property of the state.

[ItsaCJ6]

Whats sad is they veiw our country as their country's wellfare program.

[MikeW]

Fuck Mexico, we shit on them geographically

[rockota]

Originally Posted by ironpig70

the problem i see is 2 fold. 1st we have a bunch of jobs here that pay really low wages and whites folks won't do it so we hire illegals. 2nd the laws o stop illegals is not effective.

we need to build a fence, not a wall, between us and Mexico. i propose a 10' high chain link fence, then a 10' open space and then a 50,000 volt wire fence 10' high and 10 feet of open ground and another 10 foot fence. the wire fence in the center is what prisons use. touch one wire and the ground and you fry. touch two wires and you fry. this fence would be 100 yards into America.

next enact the "illegals can't sue bill" which states if your here illegally you cannot sue anybody for any reason.

next we clean out the prisons. yes folks if you are convicted of a crime in this country you will do a job. i feel its a way to reduce crime and make inmates repay society. to prevent escape we shackle two inmates together. and if you run the guards are fully authorized to shoot to kill

and lastly if any company is found to have hired illegals and they knew about it then there would be a massive penalty for such an act first offense is 10% of your yearly earning, second offense is 25%, third offense is 50% and on your fourth your business and all its holding become property of the state.

[rocking back and forth] I will not let him quote me in his signature again... I will not let him quote me in his signature again... I will not let him quote me in his signature again... I will not... [/rocking back and forth]


Well said.

[qwiksilver]

Originally Posted by Sully

Fuck Vincente Fox.

If it pisses him off, I like that wall all the more.

You too? Hell, his name isn't even Fox. That's just a machismo nickname. His real last name is Quesada. But that doesn't sound anglo enough.

And what the hell is Mexico going to do about it? Fire on the US? They would find out just how fast this country can whip around and bite back.

I'll be glad when they can stop that giant tick south of the California/Arizona/New Mexico/Texas border from sucking off us.

[APRILRAZZ]

Fox wants to spend money to hire a public relations firm??? Fawking retarded. How about spending that money to fix the fawked up economy and get rid of the corrupt people in power. Then maybe they would want to stay in Mexico

With the shit hole that Mexico is can any of you really blame them for wanting to cross the border?

[xanthias]

It's already started. The Houston Chronicle recently ran a series of apologist articles that profiled some illegal families, in a clear effort to "humanize" them and make them appear sympathetic to turn the tide of heartless bastards who actually want the law enforced - this tripe may as well have been written by Mexican coyotes (and probably was). Houston, for example, is a "haven" city, where the police are forbidden to even ask about immigration status when they arrest someone. They can't even photograph them on the street when they are busted for loitering and vandalism (a technique used to prove the perp has been at that location before). It's insane.

Don't give me all that "hardworking contributors to America" horse-shit. You don't have to build a fucking fence - all you need to do is END all the benefits like free healthcare (one ironic example, one of the illegals profiled in the paper had a kid -automatically a citizen because they dropped her on US soil - that had run up $1M in medical bills, paid for courtesy of you and me through Medicaid), free school, welfare, food stamps, WIC, social security disability, etc. etc. etc. Further, the vast majority of illegals' earnings do NOT stay in the American economy, they are sent home to Mexico, propping up its one-trick pony economy (state controlled oil).

Did you know illegal immigrants have a fast-track to approval for social security disability that citizens do not have? Did you know you subsidize illegals going to US Colleges by allowing them to pay in-state tuition in several states when American citizens must pay out of state tuition?

The truth is, Mexico has long been exporting a large portion of its underclass to the US for us to provide the complete social and medical network Mexico lacks due to 4 generations of political corruption, cronyism and graft. They aren't about to stop because their economy would collapse. Mexico doesn't *think* we are their welfare program, they *know* it; and, they are right. We are. They are infiltrating language, borders and culture. And, depending on who you are, you may think that's fine. But let's at least discuss it honestly.

And, because BOTH political parties think they need to kiss Hispanic ass (nevermind most polling shows Hispanic American citizens -i.e. actual voters- are strongly against illegal immigration), no one has the sack to not only do anything but even to call it like it is.