Posted on 12/18/2005 7:32:18 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
MEXICO CITY — As more than 1 million immigrants living in the United States head south of the border for the holiday season, President Vicente Fox is warning that shakedowns by police or border guards won't be tolerated.
Making what has become an annual pledge to protect immigrants, whom he refers to as "heroes," Fox is taking to the airwaves to remind the returning immigrants, known as paisanos, to report corrupt police, border guards and other officials.
"My countrymen, I will personally make sure you get the treatment you deserve," Fox says in a series of public service announcements. "Welcome home."
About 1.2 million immigrants traveled south during the final weeks of December 2004, according to the federal government, and a similar number is expected this year.
The paisanos often work illegally in the U.S. and live in the shadows, but it would be hard to overestimate their value to this nation.
They send home an estimated $1 billion a month, providing much-needed cash to Mexico's struggling economy.
That influence recently won them the right to vote in Mexico's coming presidential election.
As the immigrants head home, the nation's main highways become lined with loaded-down vehicles bearing license plates from throughout the U.S.
Many Mexicans, who move to the U.S. in order to earn more money, return home for extended vacations to be reunited with their family and culture.
They're known to bear gifts, cash and other fruits of their labors in the U.S.
As a result, the journey sometimes comes with a cost, as immigrants have faced corrupt Customs officials seeking payoffs, transit police accusing them of bogus infractions and bandits who want to rob them.
Under the Paisano program, which has been around for 16 years but was upgraded under Fox, the government seeks to protect the visitors and even has dispatched police escorts to keep them out of trouble. Complaints can be filed to a toll-free number, in person, through the mail or over the Internet.
Florencia Martínez, national director of the Paisano program, said Friday that among the keys to the program is ensuring that the government's efforts are coordinated with state authorities so protections reach the whole country.
"We want the paisanos to tell us where we are not doing a good job and where we need to reinforce our operations," she said.
She said that in the past six weeks, the program received 7,000 requests for information, such as how much tax can be charged on imported merchandise, and just 28 complaints.
"I won't claim victory to the point that we have eradicated corruption," she said. "But we have advanced quite a bit."
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dschiller@express-news.net
I do not care who makes the mistake I will promise you this California will come to the nation on it's knees asking for help. I mean help in the basis of we are sinking. Scew Mexico they can do it on their own. I refuse to be Mexicos I mean Californias support. Pay attention people!!!!
I'm not going to get much of anything that I'm putting into social security. Why? Because of illegals? No! Because social security is the world's biggest Ponzi scheme. How do I benefit from the IRS shutting down a construction site? How do I benefit from the @#$@! IRS at all? If you really think that the IRS is "God on our side", consider being honest with yourself and joining the Democrat party.
You know I have to tell you a story that my grand father told me. The democratic party looks out for the little man. Problem is the little man has to pay for what the democratic party wants. The best line I had after that was from my father. He told me that a Republican is a Democrat that starts paying taxes. I think that was good logic. How about you?
Got back from a mission trip to Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras last night, and I have to say I was very surprised at the utter lack of any attempt at extortion or any type of undue pressure during any of the border crossings - in fact, the Mexico side just waved us through every time. Unusual for the Christmas shopping season...
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