CNS STORY: Mexican archdiocese criticizes Arizona law limiting migrant benefits

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CNS Story:

MEXICO-ARIZONA Jan-19-2005 (470 words) xxxi

Mexican archdiocese criticizes Arizona law limiting migrant benefits

By Jason Lange
Catholic News Service

MEXICO CITY (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Mexico City has joined the nation's politicians in criticizing a new Arizona law that restricts illegal migrants' access to some public services.

"We have already said many times that (illegal migrants) are not criminals," Mexico City Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera told reporters following Mass Jan. 16. "They merely leave their ... country in search of work and ... governments (should) respect their human rights."

An editorial in the Mexico City Archdiocese's weekly newsletter was more blunt in its criticism, saying the Arizona law "was another example of political arrogance and social selfishness that has characterized some governments in the United States."

Cardinal Rivera expressed concern that the new law could be adopted in other states.

"Fortunately, this is an isolated case up until now," he said.

In November, Arizona voters approved Proposition 200, which denies some public welfare benefits to illegal migrants. The law took effect Dec. 22.

Human rights groups on both sides of the border have criticized the measure as racist, though the law's supporters say it will save taxpayers money and strengthen law enforcement.

An estimated 3 million to 5 million Mexicans live and work illegally in the United States, and Mexican officials estimate some 300,000 are in Arizona.

Proposition 200 currently keeps undocumented aliens from receiving welfare benefits and some forms of medical care and makes it a crime for state and local employees not to report anyone they suspect of illegally applying for benefits.

The bill's supporters are suing to expand the law's scope and ban other public services for illegal migrants.

In its editorial, the Mexico City Archdiocese urged the Mexican Foreign Ministry, churches and civil society to "work intensely to change this situation through political, diplomatic and legal channels."

Mexican Interior Minister Santiago Creel Miranda criticized Proposition 200 as a "discriminatory law that will directly affect 300,000 Mexicans" living illegally in Arizona.

"It's incompatible with human rights and does a disservice to both countries, the U.S. as much as Mexico," Creel said following Jan. 17 border talks with U.S. officials in Calexico, Calif.

Mexico has been lobbying the United States since 2000 for migration reform.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said after a meeting with Creel that migration reform is still a high priority for President George W. Bush. Ridge did not criticize Proposition 200.

In its editorial, the Mexico City Archdiocese also urged the Mexican government to do a better job looking after the human rights of foreign migrants passing through Mexico on their way to the United States. Rights groups regularly report human rights violations against Asian and Central American migrants who use Mexico as a springboard to the United States.

"We can hardly protest something (rights violations) we do as well," the archdiocese said.

END

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