"Seeking a Bilateral Meeting with President Trump"
"Immigration Procedures Must Be Conducted Lawfully"
In response to the large-scale crackdown and deportation of undocumented immigrants by the U.S. government, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called on the U.S. to respect human rights, while also urging Mexican immigrants to refrain from unnecessary provocation amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles, California.
According to AFP on June 9 (local time), President Claudia Sheinbaum, during a regular press conference, addressed the situation in which "numerous Mexican flags are being waved in LA" and stated, "All procedures related to immigrants must be carried out lawfully, within a framework that respects human dignity and the rule of law." She added, "We are communicating our opposition to the criminalization of immigration and the crackdown to the U.S. side."
She also said that she does not agree with using violent acts as a means of protest, adding, "Acts such as setting patrol cars on fire are closer to provocation than resistance."
On June 6, a large-scale operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting undocumented immigrants began in LA, and protests against this operation have been intensifying. It has been reported that 42 Mexican nationals were arrested during the crackdown.
Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente explained, "Thirty-seven men and five women were dispersed across four detention facilities," and "Of these, two were deported according to U.S. authorities' decisions, while another two were deported voluntarily based on their own wishes."
Protesters holding the Mexican flag gather in downtown Los Angeles, California, opposing federal immigration enforcement. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.
Minister de la Fuente stated that most of these individuals had been residing in the U.S. for several years. He added, "They were people who had been working in the U.S. right up until their arrest," and noted, "Mexican diplomats stationed in the U.S. are activating all consular support mechanisms in case the Mexican community is seen as a primary target of immigration enforcement operations."
President Sheinbaum announced that she has accepted an invitation to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit to be held in Canada from June 15 to 17. She also revealed that she is seeking a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss immigration during the summit.
President Sheinbaum emphasized, "The issue of immigrants must be approached with a sense of regional responsibility," and added, "We are prepared to continue working with the U.S. government to seek solutions that prioritize respect for human rights, the rule of law, and shared development."
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