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 Editorials | Issues | October 2007 
Former Mexican President Says Americans Wrong on Immigration
 Associated Press
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| | Former Mexican President Vicente Fox speaks at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse, N.Y., Monday, Oct. 29, 2007. (AP/Kevin Rivoli) |
Syracuse, N.Y. - Americans have the wrong idea about immigration, former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday before a speech to a mostly Syracuse University audience.
"There is a lot of misinterpretation, a lot of misinformation," Fox said in an interview. "Immigration is an asset to any nation, not just the United States, but to Mexico or any country. It is an asset everywhere. Economies need that kind of working force, productive, loyal, quality."
Fox was in Syracuse to speak about globalization, the role of the United Nations in the international community, relations between the United States and Latin America, and to promote his new book.
About 1,000 people listened to Fox's hour-long speech and a short question-and-answer session, which was interrupted twice by hecklers. One asked Fox about the recently formed Mexican congressional commission investigating whether there was any illegal enrichment on his part with government funds.
Fox told the questioner his personal finances for the past 15 years were posted on his website. "This is being done by the opposition party. It's OK. They won't find anything that I haven't declared," said Fox, who was Mexico's president from 2000 to 2006.
Earlier, Fox said he was disappointed that Congress had yet to push through immigration reform but said he understood the delay.
The 65-year-old Fox said he believed he and President Bush were close to resolving immigration issues in 2001 - only to see it sidetracked by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"That sad day changed priorities. From there on, immigration issues between the nations ... was not a priority anymore. The priority became security and fighting terrorism," he said.
Much of the "spirit and the basics" of their progress was contained in the Kennedy-McCain immigration bill, which would establish a method to legalize an estimated 12 million unlawful immigrants, tighten border security and institute new enforcement measures to prevent employers from hiring illegal workers, he said.
"Unfortunately, it is there sitting in Congress," Fox said.
Fox said he hoped Americans would read his autobiography, "Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of a Mexican President," which he said talks about immigration issues and reform in detail. The book was released in the United States last month.
"Immigration is a win-win situation," he said, noting that America's heritage is tied to immigrants looking for a better life.
"Certainly, the wall is not the answer. Walls only divide. The Chinese wall didn't work against its enemies. The Berlin wall didn't work against freedom. The West Bank wall is not working. We should be building bridges instead of walls," Fox said.
Fox said it was important for the federal government to provide the answers.
"The empty space abandoned by federal authorities" is being filled by state and local governments passing restrictive and oppressive laws, many of which violate human rights, he said.
Fox's appearance was sponsored by the Syracuse University Student Association, University Union and the New York Public Interest Research Group.
University educated, Fox began working as a truck driver for the Coca-Cola Co. in 1964, rising through the company ranks to eventually become president of Coca-Cola for Mexico and Latin America.
A member of the National Action Party, he was elected governor of Guanajuato in 1995. He was elected president of Mexico in 2000, ending more than 70 years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party. Fox made economic reform a top priority while in office.
Unlike past Mexican presidents who typically faded from public view or disappeared into exile, Fox has continued a high profile since leaving office, speaking throughout the United States and Canada. He also has said he planned to campaign for PAN candidates in future Mexican elections.
Since leaving office, Fox also has focused much of his time on construction of the Fox Center, Mexico's first presidential library. He is currently co-president of the Centrist Democratic International, an international organization of Christian Democratic political parties.
Bomb scare at the Landmark Theater Ends Appearance by Former President of Mexico
Douglass Dowty - Syracuse Online
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A talk by ex-Mexican President Vicente Fox was cut short by a bomb scare tonight at the Landmark Theater, city police said.
Fox ended his question and answer session and canceled a reception after someone called in the threat shortly before 9 p.m., said Katie Walsh, press consultant for the Syracuse University Student Association.
Syracuse police, alerted to the bomb threat, ended the event after talking with the theater management and university organizers, said Sgt. Tom Connellan. The building was evacuated, and bomb-sniffing dogs were called in.
No bomb was found, Connellan said.
Roughly 1,000 people attended Fox's 45-minute speech, followed by the question-and-answer session, moderated by Walsh. She said she was called backstage and told to end the event after the bomb threat.
Most of the audience left after the session ended, but those waiting for the reception were told by police to leave the building, said Student Association President Ryan Kelly. He said he was disappointed with the abrupt ending to a night of intellectual debate.
Fox's appearance was sponsored by the Syracuse University Student Association, University Union and the New York Public Interest Research Group. |
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