The Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), condemned the entry into force of the SB4 law in Texas, which, he said, seeks to stop the flow of migrants through their criminalization, promoting the separation of families, discrimination and racial profiling that violate the human rights of the migrant community.
Through a statement, the Mexican government reminded the Texan that it categorically rejects any measure that allows state or local authorities to carry out immigration control tasks, detain and return nationals or foreigners to Mexican territory.
Mexico also questioned legal provisions that affect the human rights of the more than 10 million people of Mexican origin who reside in Texas, generating hostile environments in which the migrant community is exposed to expressions of hate, discrimination, and racial profiling.
Given this, Mexico reiterated its legitimate right to protect the rights of its nationals in the United States and to establish its own internment policies in its territory.
Likewise, he recognized the importance of a uniform policy on immigration matters and bilateral efforts with that country so that the migration of people is safe, orderly and with respect for their human rights, and is not affected by legislative decisions of the state or local order.
In that sense, he specified, "Mexico will not accept, under any circumstances, repatriations by the state of Texas."
As part of the actions to safeguard the interests of Mexico and its nationals in the United States, the Government of Mexico will participate as a Friend of the Court before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals located in New Orleans, Louisiana, to provide information relevant to the impact that said law will have on the Mexican and/or Mexican-American community, as well as its effect on relations between Mexico and the United States.
Mexico recalled that, historically, it has participated decisively as Friend of the Court in other litigation against anti-immigrant laws. For example, against Arizona law SB1070, in 2010; Alabama's HB 56, in 2011; or Texas SB4, in 2017.
Additionally, as part of the consular assistance and protection strategy in the face of this new legislation, in November 2023, protection consuls in Texas met to coordinate actions in the event of the law coming into force.
To this he added that they have held meetings in January and February with the heads of the Mexican representations in that state, a group called Texcoco, in the same sense.
The SRE stressed that it will continue to provide timely, humane and dignified consular assistance and protection to all Mexican people in Texas through its 11 representations in the state, and the Albuquerque Consulate, which also covers counties in the state.
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