Today the Mexican President Felipe Calderon arrived in the United States for a two-day visit with Obama including a state dinner this evening as well as addressing a joint session of Congress tomorrow.
Calderon and Obama blasted the Arizona Immigration bill during welcoming ceremonies. Since Holder and Napolitano have not read the bill, what are the chances that Obama has not looked at it as well but that didn't stop him from attacking the bill as a "misdirected effort."
He also went on to say "Today I want every American to know my administration has devoted unprecedented resources in personnel and technology to securing our border."
What? You could have fooled us as Arizona and Texas have been asking for National Guard along the border for the last year. Senator McCain brought it up in a Meet the Press segment in the spring of 2009. Yet no guard troops and Napolitano has cancelled the contract with Lockheed-Martin for the virtual fence. That is providing unprecedented resources? How about finishing the fence like it is in El Paso, Texas?
The nerve of Calderon to attack the laws of one of our States when the
Mexican law on illegals in the Country of Mexico is much tougher.
Under the Mexican law, illegal immigration is a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison. Immigrants who are deported and attempt to re-enter can be imprisoned for 10 years. Visa violators can be sentenced to six-year terms. Mexicans who help illegal immigrants are considered criminals.
The law also says Mexico can deport foreigners who are deemed detrimental to "economic or national interests," violate Mexican law, are not "physically or mentally healthy" or lack the "necessary funds for their sustenance" and for their dependents.
We agree with Cong Steve King of Iowa that the Mexican law makes sense but now Calderon attacks the new Arizona law that doesn't go near as far as the Mexican Law.
Why should the American taxpayers have to support the Mexican illegals in this Country? Does Calderon like the idea of illegals in the United States as they send so much money back to Mexico never giving a thought to the drain they put on states? More important, sounds like Calderon could care less if it costs the United States money to take care of medical care and other expenses for illegals as well as the fact it is costing our own citizens jobs. He seems to be okay with illegals as long as the Mexican Goveernment doesn't have to handle the problem of lack of jobs in Mexico. Why is it the responsibility of the United States to take care of the citizens of Mexico?
The audacity of the two Presidents to attack one of our states for passing a law that 2/3rds of the Country support and mirrors what is already on the federal books which the Federal Government under Obama refuses to enforce. Obama and his Administration have been commenting on the Arizona law now for weeks, and yet they did not take the time to read it before commenting. How long does it take to read 11 pages?
What is stopping the US from enforcing a law similar to Mexico's on illegal immigrants? It is time that the United States stopped playing nurse maid to the illegals from Mexico and their own Government started taking responsibility for their own citizens within their own borders and stop encouraging illegals to find jobs in the United States.
What do you think would happen if we got caught in one of the many speed traps that Arizona Highway Patrol puts out on I-40, I-10, and I-8? First thing the officer is going to do is ask for is a driver's license and then a copy of current insurance for the vehicle. If you don't have that with you, then you are going to be visiting the local judge and explaining why not. How is that different than requiring immigrants to carry their paperwork with them showing they are here legally in this Country? We have immigration laws on the books if you want to come to this Country -- it is not like we are shutting down immigration into the United States.
What is wrong with enforcing immigration laws already on the books and deporting illegal immigrants when they are discovered. They are breaking the law being in this Country yet Obama and the Democrats want to reward their unlawful behavior by giving them amnesty and a path to citizenship. What did the last amnesty do? Made more illegals enter this country hoping for amnesty and a path to citizenship. This is a wrong headed approach to get more Democrat voters which seems to be the aim of a majority of Democrats supporting illegal immigrants.
May 19, 2010
Obama, Calderon Blast Arizona Immigration Law During White House Visit
FOXNews.com
President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon joined hands Wednesday in blasting Arizona's controversial immigration law, with Obama calling the legislation a "misdirected effort" after Calderon slammed it as discriminatory.
President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon joined hands Wednesday in blasting Arizona's controversial immigration law, with Obama calling the legislation a "misdirected effort" after Calderon slammed it as discriminatory.
Obama, speaking next to Calderon during Wednesday's state visit, called the tough immigration law a "misdirected expression of frustration over our broken immigration system."
"We're examining any implications especially for civil rights because in the United States of America, no law abiding person -- be they an American citizen, illegal immigrant, or a visitor or tourist from Mexico -- should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like."
Obama said he has directed the Justice Department to review the law and said he expects to receive a final report soon.
Arizona's law, which takes effect in July, will make it a crime under state law to be in the U.S. illegally
At the start of Wednesday's White House visit, Calderon said the law discriminated against Mexicans and called for the two countries to work together to develop an immigration policy that did not force people to live in the shadows "with such laws as the Arizona law, which is forcing our people to face discrimination."
Calderon, whose remarks were translated from Spanish, said "We can do so if we create a safer border -- a border that will unite us instead of dividing us.
"We are and will continue to be respectful of the internal policies of the United States and its legitimate right to establish, in accordance to its Constitution, whatever laws it approves," he said, "But we will retain our firm rejection to criminalized migration so that people that work and provide things to this nation would be treated as criminals."
Obama also stressed that he and Calderon had directed their governments to make the U.S.-Mexican border more secure and efficient.
"Illegal immigration is down, not up," Obama said, "And we will continue to do whatever is necessary to secure our shared border."
"Today I want every American to know my administration has devoted unprecedented resources in personnel and technology to securing our border," he added.
Fox News
The United States didn't cause this illegal immigrant problem. The corrupt Governments of Mexico did over the years when they looked out for their own personal gain of wealth and not their citizens. It was easier to encourage their citizens to immigrant to the United States illegally then to find a solution to the employment problem in Mexico.
Now with the ongoing drug cartel fights along the border, it is a matter of Border Security. El Paso has gone from a city with major crime to a safe city because they sealed the border with a fence and Border Patrol stations along the fence. If you work in the United States, you don't have any trouble coming across into El Paso with the correct paperwork. What they are keeping out is bringing the drug wars across into El Paso. Terrorists have also targeted the southern borders especially where the border runs through the National Parks and Forests as they have pretty much been declared off limits to law enforcement and their vehicles which has given illegals as well as terrorists a clear shot into the United States where there are no fences.
We found this description of the Border Security from Professor Grayson of William and Mary one of the more honest assessments of the Mexican Government on Border Security.
"I think that some tough love is in order," said George W. Grayson, a government professor at the College of William and Mary. "Obviously cooperation at the border is in our self-interest, but it's time for Mexico's establishment to take possession of the security problem and they simply haven't."
Mexican trucks should not be on American highways as many do not meet truck safety requirements including their tires along with a good portion of the trucks being driven by underage drivers. When the border was opened earlier to Mexican trucks, a series of problems ensued including underage driver's and bald tires for starters. Does the United States want to go that route again? Looks like Obama does. Any truck entering the United States registered in Mexico and countries south should have to pass a strenuous inspection before being allowed on our roads -- same with the drivers.
Touchy issues await Mexican leader's visit
By Kara Rowland
Immigration, trafficking key problems
For the leaders of two friendly nations, President Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have certainly piled up a long list of touchy issues to address when they meet in Washington this week for a state visit.
From Arizona's controversial immigration law to disputes over Mexican trucks to the illicit flow of guns, drugs and people across the border, the U.S. and its southern neighbor are at no loss for thorny challenges.
Foremost among those is the drug war, in which more than 23,000 people have died since Mr. Calderon cracked down on the cartels after taking office in 2006. But policy experts question to what extent the U.S. can — and should — help the embattled nation.
(snip)
Recent and high-profile flare-ups, led by the killing of an American consulate worker in March, have injected a renewed sense of immediacy on the part of the U.S. That incident in particular prompted a trip to Mexico by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who — echoing the sentiment of Mr. Obama during his visit last year — expressed support for Mr. Calderon's efforts and said the U.S. deserves blame for providing a market for the drugs and supplying weapons to the cartels.
(snip)
On the economic front, Mexico is the nation's third-largest trading partner and sticking points remain when it comes to obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement, particularly with respect to Mexican trucks. To the chagrin of Mexican manufacturers, the U.S. government has balked at allowing them on U.S. roads, prompting Mexico to retaliate by imposing more than $2 billion in duties on American goods.
But in a sign Mr. Calderon might be able to return home with some good news, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood last week told Congress the administration is about to unveil a new plan that would reopen the border to the trucks.
Excerpt: Read more at Washington Times
Sources have said that Mexican President Calderon is rewriting his speech to the Joint Session of Congress to go after Arizona on its new immigration law. Will the Mexican President whose Government threatened a boycott of Oklahoma earlier because money transfer fees were raised also go after Oklahoma? If Calderon attacks individual states then the Congressional delegations from those states should walk out because he is a guest of the Congress and not his place to attack individual states.
We will see what happens tomorrow when Calderon addresses the Joint Session of Congress. We would take no bets on what he is going to say because he seems to think he can say whatever he wants against the United States and Obama will agree.
Mexican president Felipe Calderón to visit at a tense time
Erin Kelly - May. 17, 2010 12:00 AM
Republic Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - Mexican President Felipe Calderón's trip to the U.S. Capitol this week comes as Congress is struggling to pass comprehensive immigration reform and the Mexican people are angry at what they see as a harsh new law targeting their countrymen in Arizona.
It also comes amid growing concern by U.S. officials about the violent Mexican drug cartels that smuggle narcotics and people into the United States and weapons and cash into Mexico.
The U.S. already has pledged $1.4 billion to help Mexico fight its drug cartels, and experts say Calderón is likely to ask for more. Calderón launched the war on drugs soon after taking office in late 2006, and the battle has grown increasingly bloody and dangerous. An estimated 20,000 people have died in drug-related violence since then.
While Calderón will undoubtedly emphasize the strong friendship between countries, he also must appeal to his constituents by repeating his condemnation of the Arizona law, which makes it a crime to be in the state illegally. Calderón, whose government issued a travel advisory in the wake of the law, will ask Congress to pass immigration legislation to prevent other states from adopting measures similar to Arizona's, experts say.
"I think we're in a different world than we were before the Arizona law," said Mark Jones, chairman of the political-science department at Rice University in Houston. "Prior to that, President Calderón had done pretty much all he could to stay out of U.S. immigration policy. He was listening to President (Barack) Obama's assurances that he was working on reform and that it would be counterproductive for the Mexican president to weigh in on that.
"But this law has really outraged Mexicans, and President Calderón can't go to Washington without President Obama at least assuring him he will do everything possible to get reform legislation through this year," Jones said.
Early reports were that Calderón's speech Thursday to a joint session of Congress would focus on fighting cartels and opportunities for Mexico and the U.S. to work together on renewable-energy projects, said Alberto Diaz-Cayeros, director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California-San Diego.
Now, Calderón reportedly is rewriting the speech to take on the Arizona law, he said.
Read more: Arizona Central
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