Mexican leader faces chilly U.S. relations

Jul 2, 5:37 PM EDT

By LISA J. ADAMS
Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- When the next president takes office, one of his most daunting tasks will be breaking the diplomatic wall of ice that has formed between Mexico and its neighbor to the north.

What Mexico sees as indifference from the White House has combined with antagonism from U.S. groups battling illegal immigration to create a relationship that is strained and chilly.

"Relations with the U.S. look like they are going sour," said Sydney Weintraub, a Mexico expert at the Washington-based International Center for Strategic Studies.

Mexicans are insulted that Republican lawmakers have focused on sealing the border while stalling a Senate proposal that would provide a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants and their families. Mexico is also still stinging from U.S. criticism of its failure to control drug-related violence.