AMERICA/MEXICO - Senate approves immigration law: “This is the Mexico that we want to see,” comments Fr Solalinde

Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – The Mexican Senate has approved a bill on immigration that, for the first time, will impede the criminalization of undocumented foreigners in Mexican territory, regardless of their origin, nationality, sex or status as an immigrant. According to information gathered by Fides, a number of national and international groups for migrants, and more than a dozen members of the opposition fought for this “sensitive” law, to ensure a equality and protection of human rights.
“No one can be declared illegal because of their immigrant status and there will be sufficient safeguards in Mexico so that citizens of other countries may transit,” says the new law. The new text, which will go to the House of Representatives, grants immigrants their legal status rights, access to education, emergency medical services, access to the register of civil status and to justice.
Just two days ago, the Bishops of Caritas, the Presidents and National Directors of Caritas in Central America, Mexico and Panama (Camexpa), gathered in Mexico City to deal with the problem that is growing exponentially: in particular the link with violence that comes from organised crime, the extreme poverty that leads to migration and the various attacks on human dignity. Father Alejandro Solalinde, director of the “Hermanos en el Camino” House, which is in Ixtepec, Oaxaca, has welcomed the approval of the law on immigration, which gives hope to change in the country. “We're going to see a unique event in history. The Mexico that we want to see is just that, walking together, to unite all of Mexico, leaving all selfishness and division, everyone thinking of Mexico. It is possible,” said Father Solalinde to the local press. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 25/02/2011)