April 27th, 2010
02:07 PM ET

Mexico issues advisory for Arizona

Mexico's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday issued an advisory to Mexicans living and working in Arizona following the signing of a controversial law to stem illegal immigration in that state.

In Arizona "there is a negative political environment for migrant communities and for all Mexican visitors," the advisory states.

The new law requires Arizona police to determine whether people are in the United States legally if there is a reason to suspect they aren't.

Although the new law doesn't go into effect until 90 days after the close of the state's legislative session, the Mexican government advised its citizens in Arizona to begin carrying all immigration documents with them immediately "to avoid needless confrontations."

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, a Republican, signed the controversial legislation into law Friday. Supporters say it is needed to control illegal immigration.

The advisory points Mexicans in Arizona to the state's five Mexican consulates for legal advice if they feel they have been subjected to abuse by authorities.

"As long as no clear criteria are defined for when, where and who the authorities will inspect, it must be assumed that every Mexican citizen may be harassed and questioned without further cause at any time," the advisory states.

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Filed under: Arizona • Immigration • Mexico • World
soundoff (1,492 Responses)
  1. Tony

    "There will only be problems for those here illegally. "

    I don't get how people are completely missing the point of complaints. Yes, illegal immigrants are breaking the law, but this has a larger effect. US citizens born here don't walk around with more ID than their license (and not all people have those or need to drive). The cops can detain you and treat you like an illegal immigrant. You don't think that is problem for someone who could potentially deal with that everyday? It's naive. You assume that cops are going to pick out 100% of the time, an illegal immigrant. It's that easy, right? Cops never pick the wrong person?

    Yes, we need to deal with illegal immigrants, but this will violate the rights of actual citizens of our country. Are we ok with that?

    April 27, 2010 at 3:04 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Marc

    Hurray for Arizona.

    this isn't about racial profiling. this is about legal and illegal.
    Some of you on here are worried you'd have to carry your papers with you..even though you are a US citizen.

    Hey, suck it up. Get Real.

    that little inconvenience versus costing you and the rest of our tax payers millions of dollars on Illegals, is not really much to ask at all, IS IT?

    And poor us, we are such battered and poor Americans, having to carry our papers with us, that we should all have pity on ourselves and feel the need to complain about every little thing. "oh, there's got to be a better way than racial profiling" when you figure it out numbnuts, then you can tell us all, and fix the issue of Illegals in the US.

    And go to Europe, see which countries let you live off of their governments, and live amongst them, using their hard earned money, Illegally. it won't fly. You'll be on a slow boat home. even from liberal France.

    And what about China? do you think they wouldn't racial profile anyone white and round eyed? do you think they'll put up with you being there illegally and living off of them?

    Wake up people. Stop thinking you should complain about every little thing. If you have a better idea, then put up or shut up. So our country should protect it's borders, WOW. now there's a crime.

  3. Buzz Lightyear

    This is wonderful. Next we move on the catholics and the eastern europeans, and finish off what is left of the indians.

  4. Its the Law...

    The truth is all illegals gaining benefits through government programs they have never paid into. Welfare, Section 8 Housing, Foodstamps, Free Food Programs, Education Grants, Education Visa's, Dorms Housing while obtaining Housing etc. Add that up... American citizens with small children get the run around for government assistance if you have ever worked and then need help, they get turned away. Keeping illegals for retail purposes is a week justification. They warning their citizens to carry paperwork. Really? What paperwork? Fake paperwork?

    I agree 100% EVERY person traveling abroad is ALWAYS required to have travel documentation.

    Its the law. Its not a New law! Its being enforced. ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!! Our usa kids are getting the raw end because illegals are DRAINING our countries FUNDS!

    You dont like it, GO BACK TO WHERE YOUR FROM!!!!

  5. Mari

    I disagree with the nature of this law. Like others I am a legal citizen, naturalised after 10 long years following the rules. The last thing I or others want to do is carry my important naturalization cert around with me, no more than the resident aliens (legal) want to carry their "green card'. Once either of these aritfacts get damaged or stolen,, its a NIGHTMARE to replace them, and in the meantime you are at risk at being deported or not getting a job (and as you know there are so many jobs now, its not a big deal to loose one becos you dont have the right paperwork to show HR)

    A passport is too bulky to haul around all the time.

    So as long as the proving you are legal can be something you have to provide at a later stage etc, I dont have a problem proving it. I just think the idea of carrying these doc's around all day every day is ridiculous. I agree with the person who said, Passports in Eurpoe are to allow you to enter in and out and prove your age if you want to drink alcohol or in conjunction with a driver's permit. Unless you can provide another world wide official ID in its place. But normally one travel's for a while you dont have to LIVE there and if you do, you get proper id and leave your passport at HOME safe.

    Thankfully, I dont look foreign, even though I sound it. What is an American anyways? In my eyes its people of all shapes and sizes and colors. An American isnt a white person (like me). People should not be profiled cos of the way they look. This law is too loose in its interpretation and dangerous to legitamate people in this state

  6. Mary ND

    Correct me if I'm wrong but every legal citizen of the US is required to show ID any time officials ask so why is it that this is a big issue exactly. If you are illegal, take the time to do the paperwork and get legal. Bravo for Arizona on taking a stand!! Finally!!!!

  7. I'm amazed

    You say it's not targeting people? You say it's not racially profiling people? Yet, every line of this discussion is relative to Mexicans. There are many undocumented workers in teh US.

    I live in Chicago and there are probably as many undocumented Russians, Poles, Pakistani, West Africans, etc. What are your thoughts on these groups?

    Just curious.

  8. Hourdrum

    its funny to read that some people really think just because a grandparent(EURO TRASH) was born here, that entitles them to tell someone of a different nationality to go home. you go home, WHITE PLAGUE.

    April 27, 2010 at 3:05 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Joe citizen abroad

    That's rich. Usually, it's the US issuing travel advisories about Mexico.

  10. wilson

    if we go to mexico, or any other foreign country and are stoped by police and asked to provide a passport that would be o.k. - so why isn't it o.k. here?? we are being invaded by mexicans - who are we supposed to stop chinese, japanese, africans - its racial profiling because its one specific race entering illegally. - DUH!!!

  11. cf

    ATTENTION ALL US CITIZENS: If you live in or are visiting or are just passing through Arizona, make sure you are carrying your passport or birth certificate with you at all times or you risk being thrown in jail... and, no, a driver's license does not count as proof of legal status.

    This is a public service announcement

  12. dude230091

    this is ridiculous. i think it wont be a problem if youre legal but it will be after a while if cops kept asking you if you were legal. i bet if we had a problem with canada all the white people would not like it if the cops kept asking them if they were legally here from canada. this is just like racial profiling

  13. Buzz Lightyear

    On to the Italians!!

  14. Love

    Keep at it Matt.....but remember racist are not all that intelligent


    Illegal aliens do not pay property taxes, federal income taxes or state income taxes and are a huge burden on the Arizone people. Nothing in this world is free and contrary to what Obama, and the thugs under his control think, this is not a welfare nation. Illegal alien children attend school free of charge, Illegal alien drivers do not pay for infrastructure projects or local government upkeep, etc, etc, etc,. When will the individuals who think this is such a crime realize this and understand the problem. When so many individuals do nothing but take from the system and pay nothing in, the system will fail. This is not rocket science. Bottom line, become a LEGAL immigrant and pay your fair share and then you can become an equal member of our great nation.

    Also – when will the media START reporting all the hatred and violence being generated by the people protesting this law???
