El Salvador Concerned Over
Anti-Migrant Law In U.S.
SAN SALVADOR - El Salvador on
Thursday expressed "profound concerns" over
a U.S. law targeting migrants in the
southern U.S. state of Arizona.
The Salvadorian foreign ministry said in an
online statement that the law could lead to
discrimination against migrants because of
their physical appearance or ethnic origin.
"The Salvadorian government is worried to
see the passing of this law, and makes an
urgent call for the (Arizona) state governor
to consider the preoccupation expressed by
the Mexican and Central American
governments," the statement added.
The Arizona state legislature has passed a
bill into law that forces police to
investigate every report of illegal
immigration and gives citizens the right to
sue police officers who do not investigate
such reports.
Migrant groups in the United States say the
legislation will be used by racists to
harass residents from ethnic minorities.
On Wednesday, Mexico's embassy in the United
States wrote to the U.S. government
expressing "grave concern for the
potentially serious consequences" of the
law.
"This ministry is firmly committed to
looking out for the respect and promotion of
Salvadorians' human rights overseas," the
statement said, adding that embassies would
continue actively protecting their citizens,
regardless of migratory status.
Arizona State Governor Jan Brewer has not
yet signed the new bill into law, but she
has not made any statement suggesting she
will not do so.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
