Mexican support for U.S. immigrant protests

updated 10:20 a.m. ET April 28, 2006

MEXICO CITY - Mexican lawmakers issued a declaration of support for immigrant protests planned in the United States on Monday and said they will send a delegation to Los Angeles to show their solidarity.

The declaration, issued late Thursday by all the political parties in the lower house of Congress, contrasts with the position of Mexico’s Foreign Department, which has said it will discipline any consular officials who take part in the protests.

The delegation of lawmakers will meet with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, it said in a news release from Congress.

Looking for recognition of migrant workers
“The only thing we are looking for is to end this dehumanizing situation and get the recognition of the migrant labor force,” Federal Deputy Maria Garcia said. “People who go looking for work should not be treated like criminals with the risk of being tried in federal courts.”

Activists are urging immigrants across the United States to skip work, avoid spending money and march in the streets to demonstrate their importance to the U.S. economy.

The protest, dubbed “A Day Without Immigrants,” comes as the U.S. Congress debates immigration bills proposing everything from toughened border security to the legalization of all 11 million undocumented migrants in America.

Call for U.S. boycott in Mexico
Activists south of border have called for a boycott of all U.S. businesses on Monday in support of the protests.

Mexicans living in the United States sent back home about $20 billion in remittances last year.

President Vicente Fox has lobbied relentlessly for an immigration reform in the United States. However, his administration has held back from getting involved the immigrant protests, saying it does not want to violate U.S. sovereignty.

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