Mexican president: 'Growing harassment' of migrants in U.S.

Associated Press

Nov. 14, 2007 02:59 PM

MEXICO CITY - President Felipe Calderon decried Wednesday what he called "the growing harassment" of Mexicans in the United States and said his government will work to counter it by funding a media campaign to show migrant success stories.

Mexican officials have expressed concern over a recent wave of immigration raids and a U.S. political climate perceived as anti-migrant. Calderon said U.S. presidential candidates were using migrants as "symbolic hostages" on the immigration issue.

"I am especially worried about the growing harassment and frank persecution of Mexicans in the United States in recent days," Calderon said at a meeting of the Mexican government's migrant assistance agency.

Can you imagine the uproar if President Bush were to set up an organization to push for more rights for US citizens living in Mexico? Cries of violating Mexico's sovereignty and imperialism would be heard all over Latin America. But here Calderon can misrepresent the numbers - there are at least 12 million illegals in the US not 6, most of whom are Mexican - and try and set up something to produce TV ads in the US. Do you think the Mexican media would run ads touting the benefits of Americans in Mexico and calling for more rights for them? Not a chance! - missionaryman