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Mexico calls on U.S. police to investigate migrant killings
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3935887
MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Tuesday they believe five Mexican migrant workers were killed in the United States during a robbery, not as the result of racist or anti-immigrant actions, but urged U.S. officials to fully investigate the deaths in any case.
The Foreign Relations Department said in a news release that the government is "profoundly concerned" by the killings, and called on the United States to ensure the rights of migrant workers.
Five Mexican farm workers were shot or bludgeoned to death Friday during apparent armed robberies in four trailer parks in the state of Georgia. Six other workers were injured in the attacks.
"The initial reports indicate that this was a robbery, that it wasn't a racist or anti-immigrant act," presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said. "But the (Mexican) government has insisted on the need for a prompt investigation."
Three of the six wounded migrants had been released or were about to be released from hospitals, two were in stable condition, and one remained in critical condition, the Foreign Relations Department said.
"The Mexican government is profoundly concerned by these events and the serious consequences they could have, if quick action is not taken to apprehend those responsible for these crimes," the department said.
The Foreign Relations statement also stressed "the importance of guaranteeing due protection of the law, regardless of the nationality of the victims or their migratory status."
"In light of these acts, the Mexican government condemns the acts of violence against Mexican citizens," the statement concluded, noting that "physical protection and the right to fair, just and equal treatment for migrants is a priority."
Aguilar said the victim's bodies would be returned to their native Mexico for burial, and that Mexican officials were providing support for victims' relatives.
The victims came from states throughout Mexico, including Chiapas and Yucatan in the south, the central states of Hidalgo and Zacatecas, and the northern state of San Luis Potosi.
Georgian authorities have not yet made any arrests, but have released composite sketches of two men based on descriptions provided by some of the victims. They say the attacks do not appear to be racially motivated.
The attacks have sent a chill through southwest Georgia's large Hispanic community, where many of the workers come to pick tobacco and vegetables.
Officials say many Hispanic workers are easy prey for armed robbers because they live in run-down mobile homes, sometimes without windows or door locks, and they keep relatively large sums of cash until they get a chance to wire money to relatives in Mexico.
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3935887
MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials said Tuesday they believe five Mexican migrant workers were killed in the United States during a robbery, not as the result of racist or anti-immigrant actions, but urged U.S. officials to fully investigate the deaths in any case.
The Foreign Relations Department said in a news release that the government is "profoundly concerned" by the killings, and called on the United States to ensure the rights of migrant workers.
Five Mexican farm workers were shot or bludgeoned to death Friday during apparent armed robberies in four trailer parks in the state of Georgia. Six other workers were injured in the attacks.
"The initial reports indicate that this was a robbery, that it wasn't a racist or anti-immigrant act," presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar said. "But the (Mexican) government has insisted on the need for a prompt investigation."
Three of the six wounded migrants had been released or were about to be released from hospitals, two were in stable condition, and one remained in critical condition, the Foreign Relations Department said.
"The Mexican government is profoundly concerned by these events and the serious consequences they could have, if quick action is not taken to apprehend those responsible for these crimes," the department said.
The Foreign Relations statement also stressed "the importance of guaranteeing due protection of the law, regardless of the nationality of the victims or their migratory status."
"In light of these acts, the Mexican government condemns the acts of violence against Mexican citizens," the statement concluded, noting that "physical protection and the right to fair, just and equal treatment for migrants is a priority."
Aguilar said the victim's bodies would be returned to their native Mexico for burial, and that Mexican officials were providing support for victims' relatives.
The victims came from states throughout Mexico, including Chiapas and Yucatan in the south, the central states of Hidalgo and Zacatecas, and the northern state of San Luis Potosi.
Georgian authorities have not yet made any arrests, but have released composite sketches of two men based on descriptions provided by some of the victims. They say the attacks do not appear to be racially motivated.
The attacks have sent a chill through southwest Georgia's large Hispanic community, where many of the workers come to pick tobacco and vegetables.
Officials say many Hispanic workers are easy prey for armed robbers because they live in run-down mobile homes, sometimes without windows or door locks, and they keep relatively large sums of cash until they get a chance to wire money to relatives in Mexico.
