Schwarzenegger irks Mexico with praise of project

It appears in this Arizona Republic story that California Governor Arnold Swarzenegger has pissed off the Mexican government with his statements in support of the Minutemen on the border:

MEXICO CITY – Mexico condemned the recent comments of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who praised hundreds of civilian volunteers guarding the Arizona-Mexican border in search of people crossing illegally.

The Foreign Relations Department, which has said it is investigating the detention of 13 Mexicans apprehended by members of the Minuteman Project, rejected Schwarzenegger’s comments, saying “these types of unfortunate pronouncements are not the way to achieve a better understanding between our country and California.”

In a radio interview, Schwarzenegger said of the volunteers, “I think they’ve done a terrific job, and look, they’ve cut down the crossing of illegal immigrants by a huge percentage.”

Minuteman volunteers, some of whom are armed, began patrolling April 1 for immigrants crossing into Arizona over what is considered the most porous stretch of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.

Project organizers claim volunteers are only out to identify illegal crossers to U.S. authorities and call attention to the illegal migration issue. The group has denied allegations of wrongful detentions.

But Mexicans commonly refer to the volunteers as “migrant hunters,” and Foreign Relations Department officials have been closely watching the border for Minuteman-related violations.

Recently Schwarzenegger solicited an angry response from Mexico City by calling for a closed border, comments he later blamed on problems with his English, which is his second language.

The Republican was clearer on April 28, accusing the federal government of failing to control the borders and of encouraging illicit crossers by providing them with water.

In a statement the next day, the Foreign Relations Department said it was especially surprised by the governor’s comments “now that the administration of President (George W.) Bush has clearly stated its opposition to the vigilante activities on the border.”

The Governator answers to the people of California and we are fed up with illegal immigration. President George Bush is wrong on this issue and a lame duck.

So, where do you think Arnold will stand on this issue?

Come on Mexico get a clue – you support these folks coming across the border because of expedience and corruption.