Mexican president condemns Arizona immigration law during White House visit 10:48 AM CT
11:07 AM CDT on Wednesday, May 19, 2010
WASHINGTON -- Mexican President Felipe Calderón, arriving at theWhite House for a state visit, wasted no time this morning criticizing Arizona's new immigration law.
He said the law -- which requires police in Arizona to demand documentation from anyone they suspect of being in the United States illegally -- will subject Mexican citizen to discrimination. Mexico is hoping the White House will initiate a federal court action to block enforcement of the law.
President Barack Obama welcomed Calderón and his wife, Margarita Zavala to the White House, festooned with Mexican and U.S. flags. There were military honor guards and schoolchildren cheering.
Obama vowed to work with the Mexican government to create job and fight drug cartels, and to “ensure that our common border is secure, modern and efficient, including immigration that is orderly and safe.”
“Let us work together,” Obama said, repeating the sentiment in Spanish: “Trabajemos juntos.”
Obama made no mention of the Arizona law, which makes it state crime to be in the United States without permission. He has, however, condemned it in the past.
Calderón said, "I know that we share the interest in promoting dignified, legal and orderly living conditions to all migrant workers. Many of them, despite their significant contribution to the economy and to the society of the United States, still live in the shadows and, occasionally, as in Arizona, they even face discrimination."
Rep. Lamar Smith of San Antonio, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, took Calderon to task for criticizing the Arizona law, even as illegal border crossings persist.
"Mexican government officials openly talk of a Mexican government boycott of Arizona, but make no effort to prevent their citizens from