06/07/11 – The government of Mexico announced today that it will be joining in the effort against the Anti-Immigration law in Utah along with 13 other Latin American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. The anti-immigration law is called HB 497 and is similar to the SB 1070 law passed in Arizona. The Utah law, if passed, will permit police to interrogate any person they believe to be undocumented as well as offer temporary permits for undocumented workers. It was proposed by Utah’s state governor, Gary Herbert, on March 15, 2011.
The government of Mexico, along with the other Latin American countries, spoke today in front of the District Court of the United States in Salt Lake City to express their disapproval of HB 497. Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations stated that the application of the law will affect the civil rights of the Mexican nationals who live in Utah as well as Mexicans who come to visit the state. The bill also faces criticism from the National Immigration Lay Center (NILC) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the latter of which filed suit against the law stating that it favors racial profiling.
Sources:
“México manifiesta su rechazo de la ley migratoria bloqueada de Utah.” CNN México. June 7, 2011.
“México participa en la demanda contra la ley de inmigración de Utah.” BBC Mundo. June 7, 2011.
Otero, Silvia. “Bloque de países de AL contra ley migratoria en EU.” El Universal. June 7, 2011.
Good.!!!