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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | May 2005 
Gov't Criticizes U.S. Measures On Migration
 Wire services
| | A U.S. proposal on Wednesday said it would extend the construction of border fences. (Photo: Luis Carlos Cano/El Universal) |
Mexico City - The government on Wednesday criticized new measures approved by the U.S. Senate that officials here fear could extend border fences and limit migrants' access to driver's licenses.
Approving billions of dollars for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan on Wednesday, the U.S. Senate also authorized the completion of fences along the California-Mexican border.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved rules aimed at stopping illegal migrants from getting driver's licenses that allow them to board planes or enter protected federal buildings.
"The president (of Mexico) laments these measures, which are a matter of sovereignty, but he laments them," said Rubén Aguilar, spokesman for President Vicente Fox. "Constructing walls is not he best way to attend to the challenges we share on our common border."
Foreign Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez called plans for extending walls along the U.S.Mexico border "inappropriate" and said Mexico would continue to voice its objections to the United States and in international forums.
The combat bill approved by the Senate also would tighten asylum laws and provide money to hire more border security agents.
"This measure has an anti-migrant side, without a doubt," Derbez told reporters.
Fox's administration has fought to strengthen migrants' rights within the United States, and the country's consular identification card program has allowed illegal migrants to open bank accounts and conduct other official business.
The program has been criticized as condoning illegal migration.
More than 360 cities across the country accept the credit card-sized Mexican identification cards. About 1.8 million such cards are in use throughout the United States. |
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