Mexico's Immigration Laws

Can you say “hypocrite”? Good, because it perfectly describes Mexico’s President Calderon’s illegal immigration views. Calderon has made hypocritical criticism of Arizona’s new immigration law loudly and regularly since the law went into effect last year. Most of the public uproar over Arizona’s immigration legislation stems from the law stating that law enforcement officers can check on immigration status of an individual after a lawful stop, arrest, or detention for “any other law or ordinance of a county, city, or town, or this state”, and only if they have “reasonable suspicion” that the person is an illegal. Simply put, the law makes it a state crime to be in Arizona illegally. Sounds reasonable enough when compared to Mexico’s illegal entry laws, which makes illegal entry a crime punishable by imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of five thousand pesos, and deportation. Repeat offenders may receive up to ten years imprisonment. Also Mexican police can perform verification visits, demand from foreigners proof of legal presence in Mexico at any time, or cause foreigners to appear before immigration authorities.