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The Ministry of Foreign Relations, on behalf of the Government of Mexico, fully acknowledges the US District Court of Arizona's decision to provisionally suspend the entry into force of some sections of SB 1070 in Arizona. It is a first step in the right direction.
The preliminary injunction will not allow the State police of Arizona to: a) determine upon detention and in the context of SB 1070, the immigration status based on reasonable suspicion; b) detain an individual without a warrant when there is suspicion of undocumented presence in the United States; c) request the person to bear documentation identifying him or her as an immigrant; and d) criminalize the application, solicitation or performance of a job by an unauthorized migrant.
The Government of Mexico has implemented and will continue strengthening actions to prevent violations of immigrants' rights and to provide consular protection in those cases in which the rights of Mexican nationals are violated.
The Government of Mexico, through its five Consulates in Arizona has established and strengthened rapid response mechanisms aimed at guaranteeing that effective legal advice is provided in those specific cases in which the rights of Mexican nationals are being violated. In this context the Government of Mexico has strengthened and expanded its network of lawyers currently collaborating under the umbrella of the External Legal Assistance Program (PALE). It will also continue to increase its consular presence in Arizona's detention centers and its permanent communication with federal authorities to gather information of incidents concerning Mexican nationals.
We have instructed the Director General of Protection for Mexicans Abroad to travel to Phoenix to supervise the Ministry of Foreign Relations' consular protection measures which have been implemented since the approval of SB 1070.
With the support of civil society organizations, we will detect and compile possible cases of human rights violations against Mexican nationals. We will inform Mexican communities on the implications of SB 1070 through community and educational fora. We will continue offering 24-hour personalized attention through the call-center set up in Arizona to provide information and guidance to affected parties (1-877-63CONSUL). We will intensify consular staff training on the scope of SB 1070, and as a preventive consular measure, additional information brochures and cards will be distributed to promote Mexican nationals' awareness of their fundamental rights.
Mexico's five consulates in Arizona will continue visiting Mexican communities through our mobile consulates, and working on Saturdays, in addition to their regular business hours, until further notice so as to guarantee proper consular attention.
The Government of Mexico hereby expresses its recognition of the determination shown by the Government of the United States and to the actions of those civil organizations that filed lawsuits against SB 1070.
Furthermore, the Government of Mexico is grateful to the Governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru, who joined the Amicus Curiae brief filed by Mexico.
In keeping with its firm commitment to protecting the rights of Mexicans abroad, regardless of their immigration status, the Government of Mexico will continue to closely follow the legal process derived from the decision of the District Court and of any higher courts, until SB 1070 is declared unconstitutional.
