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Well, why now? Why wait until now to raise a stink about consular representation? The trial is over. Way over. Why wait until Mexicans cross the US border illegally and then commit felonies before they suddenly care about the rights of Mexicans? Has Mexico raised a travel advisory to Mexican citizens thinking about going to the US? I haven't heard about one. Would it stop illegal immigration anyway? And don't trivialize the effect on victims of violent crime. The seriousness of the crime does matter. Surely the Constitution never intended to deny people the right to relief if they are harmed and I am referring to the victims of their dasterdly deeds.

As for personal responsibility, these criminals apparently didn't act very responsibly when they got here. Nor did they consult their own gov't or ours before they crossed the border. They're invaders...infiltrators. You are suggesting we release them or commute their sentences on a technicality that their lawyers apparently made no issue of at the time of trial. Maybe because they are here illegally, they don't have the right to consular representation anyway. And how do you know these lawyers were public defenders?

"As for personal responsibility, these criminals apparently didn't act very responsibly when they got here. Nor did they consult their own gov't or ours before they crossed the border. They're invaders...infiltrators. You are suggesting we release them or commute their sentences on a technicality that their lawyers apparently made no issue of at the time of trial. Maybe because they are here illegally, they don't have the right to consular representation anyway. And how do you know these lawyers were public defenders?"

1) By personal responsibility I was mocking the idea that idea that we should sue Mexico when their citizens cross into our country.

2) The law is all about technicalities. That is the way it is. "Constitutionally" and "technically" mean essentially the same thing.

3) OK, who thinks an illegal immigrant will be able to hire a lawyer in private practice?

4) The Mexican government has been complaining about this issue for a long time. You are obviously naive about the speed with which any court works. If this ruling came down today, I'd guess the Mexican government has been working on this for 50 years or so.