Fox Challenges U.S. On Migration
President Vicente Fox wrapped up a visit to the Texas border by saying he hoped to meet soon with the new president of the United States to ensure good treatment for Mexican migrants.
Just weeks into his presidency, Fox finished his two-day visit to the northern border Wednesday with stops in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, adjacent to Laredo, Texas. He dedicated his visit to millions of paisanos, or countrymen, who live in the United States but travel back to Mexico during the holiday season.
Families journeying south in December have long complained of delays, extortion and harassment at the hands of Mexican border guards. Such reports have continued in spite of a "paisano program" meant to smooth the trip for homecoming Mexicans.
"People want to be assured of their safety so they can take advantage of the opportunities they demand," Fox said at the Ciudad Juarez border crossing. "Our brothers and sisters deserve respect and attention. It's going to get better every day."
If the United States wants to solve its border woes, it ought to invest in the Mexican economy, Fox said. He said Mexico has an "urgent need" to create a development fund like the North American Development Bank.
Such development should be a priority "instead of building walls, instead of hiring more and more police to arrest migrants," Fox told reporters at the Nuevo Laredo airport. "That's not the way."
At the Nuevo Laredo border crossing, hundreds of people crowding sidewalks for a glimpse of the president passed the time by heckling border officials. As families pushed through the turnstiles with suitcases and shopping bags, they were met with cries of "Pasale paisano! Estas en tu casa!," meaning "Come in! You're home!"
When customs officials inspected bags, the crowds jeered. "It's free today!" some yelled. "Don't give them anything!"
Fox won a resounding victory in Mexico's July 2 presidential election, ousting the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which had ruled the country for 71 years. His victory was based largely on his promises to eliminate the corruption and poverty the ruling party left behind.
But despite border officials' promises to change, cynicism lingered among lifelong border dwellers.
"These guys are abusive," said 33-year-old Nuevo Laredo housewife Adriana Flores, nodding in the direction of uniformed officials. "Today they'll be very good, because they know they don't have a choice. But tomorrow it'll be the same thing as always."
By MEGAN K. STACK
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