Mexico City, Mexico, Jan 17, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, expressed his concern this week for a new law in Arizona that limits illegal immigrants’ access to social services and he called for respect at all times for their fundamental human rights.
Cardinal Rivera recalled that both the Mexican and the US bishops have always defended the rights of Mexican immigrants, emphasizing that “they are not criminals, they have simply left their homes, their country, to find work, and their human rights must be respected.”
The official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Mexico pointed out that one of the most serious aspects of the Proposition 200 in Arizona is not only its denial of basic social services to immigrants, but also the threat of fines and jail time for those who provide them emergency medical assistance.
The newspaper calls on Mexican officials to work through politics, diplomacy and law to change the situation.
It also said immigrants to Mexico should be treated fairly as well. “We cannot demand what we ourselves will not give; it is not consistent to ask for justice when we ourselves mistreat those who cross our paths.”