Mexico’s government strongly criticized the enactment of a stringent new immigration law in Florida, led by Republican Governor and 2024 presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis.
The country has pledged to assist in safeguarding undocumented Mexicans living in the state.
DeSantis, in his bid for the Republican nomination, has implemented a law in Florida that came into effect on Saturday.
This law is seen as a preview of the strict immigration policies he would pursue if elected.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, last month, urged Latino voters in the United States to reject DeSantis, accusing him of prioritizing votes over the well-being of migrants.
According to DeSantis’ official website, the new law encompasses various measures, including the allocation of funds to relocate migrants without legal status outside of Florida, limitations on access to ID cards, and the requirement for more businesses to use an electronic system to verify eligibility for employment.
In response, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry released a statement expressing concerns that these provisions could lead to discrimination, racial profiling, and the creation of hostile environments, fostering intimidation and hate crimes.
The ministry asserted that criminalizing undocumented migration is not a productive approach to addressing this phenomenon.
It further described the newly introduced measures as being motivated by xenophobia and white nationalism.
While acknowledging Mexico’s respect for the legislative processes of the United States, the ministry highlighted its view that the Florida law contradicts the collaborative efforts of both nations to treat migrants with dignity.
To address the potential abuses resulting from the new law, Mexican consulates in the United States will actively inform migrants about their rights and collaborate with civil society organizations to identify possible cases of mistreatment, according to the Foreign Ministry’s statement.
Mexico remains committed to protecting the rights and well-being of its citizens abroad, particularly those who may be affected by restrictive immigration policies implemented by U.S. states.
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