Mexico acknowledges poor treatment of migrants in its own territory
MEXICO CITY - Mexico uses the same methods to deal with migrants _ mainly from Central America _ that it opposes in the United States, human rights officials here said Wednesday.
The admission comes as Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez called on Latin American countries to unite against a U.S. House bill to toughen border enforcement.
The bill, which passed Friday with a 239-182 vote, would make illegal entry a felony, and enlist military and local police to help stop undocumented migrants.
But officials of Mexico’s federal Human Rights Commission said Mexico uses both measures on its own territory.
Mexico’s “population law does include prison terms for illegally entering the country … and this is something that has been the subject of constant complaints,” said Mauricio Farah, a national inspector for the rights commission.
According to Article 123 of Mexico’s Population Law “foreigners illegally entering the country will be subject to punishment of up to two years in prison” and fines up to $28,200 (U.S.). Such prison sentences are rarely imposed.
Auto insurance premiums to be based on record, not home’s ZIP code
SACRAMENTO - Thousands of California drivers with good records who still pay high insurance premiums because of where they live can expect to see some relief next year under new state regulations proposed Thursday.
Moving to end years of wrangling over the “redlining” issue, state Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said the new regulations will require insurers to look first at a driver’s record – not the community of residence – when determining rates.
Currently, many insurers consider a driver’s ZIP code as the most important factor in rate-setting, leading to horror stories of drivers facing premium hikes of hundreds of dollars just for moving across the street or living in urban areas.
“A good driver, wherever they are in the state of California, ought to have a lower rate than a bad driver, wherever that person is in the state of California,” Garamendi said.
Mexicans Head North to Snare Holiday Bargains
The annual border crush illustrates growing social and economic ties in the San Diego-Tijuana region
TIJUANA — The pedestrian lane at the San Ysidro port of entry backed up nearly a quarter-mile into Mexico, weaving past the churro vendors, discount drugstores and tin-shack candy booths.
Gloria Escobar, standing near a display of Santa Claus pinatas, already had waited half an hour to cross into California. Only one more hour left, she hoped.
“It’s worth the sacrifice,” Escobar said one morning this week. “In San Diego, the stores are better than Tijuana…. Everyone in this line is going for Christmas shopping.”
The annual holiday season crush at the border reached its height this week as Dodger Stadium-size crowds from Mexico headed north in search of bargains at swap meets, outlet stores and suburban shopping malls.
They endured extra-long waits in the pedestrian and vehicle lanes, which were already jammed with thousands of Mexicans
