Mexico City archdiocese calls for humane treatment of Central American immigrants

Mexico City, Mexico, Nov 18, 2010 / 22:59 pm

The Archdiocese of Mexico City published an editorial in its news service on Nov. 14 calling on federal officials to come up with strategies to protect Central American immigrants who pass through the country on their way to the United States, after reports of their mistreatment have increased in recent months.
 
The media in Mexico has given increasing coverage to rescue operations of illegal immigrants from Central and South America. In the largest of such operations, 106 Honduran, Salvadoran and Guatemalan immigrants, including 33 children, were rescued from forced labor on a farm in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. The discovery came despite measures taken in response to the murder of 72 illegal immigrants in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas in August.
 
The Archdiocese of Mexico City's news service noted that the State has the duty “to respect the human rights of foreigners and to care for their well-being,” especially amidst the growing violence in Mexico.
 
“How is it possible the Mexican government is not able to come up with better strategies for preventing this human drama from taking place on our southern border? Why is it that our lawmakers have not lifted a finger to address this problem that has existed for years and is getting worse?” the editorial asked.
 
It praised organizations, including the Church, that help immigrants who are passing through Mexico. “They are often subject to police pressure because of the work they carry out, and this is unacceptable,” the editorial stated. The archdiocese said measures must be taken to stop the exploitation and mistreatment of immigrants.

Mexican lawmakers “are the first to protest the treatment our fellow countrymen receive in the United States, and yet they do nothing to stop the mistreatment of our Central American brothers and sisters,” the editorial said.