Mexico's Threatened Lawsuits 'Ludicrous,' Says Attorney
by Allie Martin
May 23, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A constitutional attorney with the American Family Association says the recent threat of a lawsuit against the U.S. by the Mexican government over border security is absurd.The threatened lawsuit is in response to President Bush's pledge to use National Guard troops along the U.S.-Mexico border to bolster the efforts of the Border Patrol, primarily in support roles such as logistics and medical support. The Pentagon has stated that the bulk of personnel for the mission would be taken from National Guard troops in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas -- the four border states.
Following the president's announced intentions, a representative for Mexican President Vicente Fox stated that if the National Guard troops detain Mexican citizens crossing the border illegally, the Fox government will file lawsuits. Steve Crampton, chief counsel for the Center for Law & Policy and a constitutional expert, says while such a lawsuit is technically possible, it is not likely.
"What you have is Mexican nationals leaving their nation in droves, seeking to come to the free and prosperous nation of the United States on a permanent basis," he says. "And so, for Mexico to sue because of some actions of our National Guard troops within our own borders, in policing those borders, is basically ludicrous." And any lawsuits would be without merit, he adds.
The attorney believes the threat of lawsuits is meant simply to send a message. "The Mexican government wants to communicate to the U.S. government and to the world that they object to what's going on [along the border]," says Crampton. He contends they have a purpose in sending that message. "They want to make waves and try to work, I think, an agreement and a treaty whereby the Mexican government can profit from our own internal unrest and dissension on the issue of immigration."
This is not the first time Mexico has voiced such threats. Officials with the Mexican government have threatened lawsuits against the group known as the Minutemen Project when they started patrolling the southern U.S. border earlier this year.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
