Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, has spoken out following mass protests against ICE in the Los Angeles area due to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
During a press conference on Monday, Sheinbaum condemned the reported acts of violence that occurred over the weekend in Los Angeles and called for peaceful demonstrations, Fox11 reported.
“We do not agree with violent actions as a form of protest. Burning police cars appears to be more an act of provocation than of resistance. We condemn violence, no matter where it comes from. We call on the Mexican community to act pacifically and not allow itself to be provoked,” she said.
She stated that Mexico has engaged consular services to ensure that detained citizens have access to legal representation and that their due process rights are protected, the outlet noted further.
A day ago, Sheinbaum praised the contributions of Mexicans in Los Angeles, calling them “good, honest men and women who left to seek a better life for themselves and to support their families.”
“They are not criminals,” she said. “Los Angeles wouldn’t be what it is if it weren’t for the Mexicans who live there.”
Sheinbaum also stated that Mexican migrants are welcome to return to the country if they wish.
“We call for a ban on violence,” she said. “Consuls are instructed to stay in touch with the 35 detained Mexicans and their families, and above all, to acknowledge the work of their fellow Mexicans there.”
The Mexican leader also said her country would continue diplomatic efforts on behalf of its citizens in the U.S.
“The Mexican government will continue using all diplomatic and legal channels available to express its disagreement through its consular network with practices that criminalize immigration and put at risk the safety and well-being of our communities in the United States,” she said.
Perhaps not so ironically, Sheinbaum did not mention that Mexico has laws against entering the country illegally, though they are not uniformly enforced, as evidenced by the millions who were allowed to traipse through on their way to the U.S. during President Biden’s administration.
In addition, remittances — money sent from Mexican nationals working legally and illegally in the U.S. back to their families in Mexico — comprise a significant portion of the country’s annual GDP. According to the most recent figures, remittances account for approximately 4.5 percent of Mexico’s GDP, making them the largest single source of foreign income.
Meanwhile, conservatives slammed a California Democratic congressman on social media after he posted a message asking federal officers detaining illegal immigrants in Los Angeles to “get the f— out.”
“ICE get the f— out of LA so that order can be restored,” Rep. Norma Torres posted on TikTok Friday as protests and riots were breaking out over the raids.
WATCH:
Conservatives on social media quickly reacted to the video, accusing Torres, who was born in Guatemala and became a U.S. citizen in the 1990s, of fomenting the violence and vitriol against ICE officers that unfolded over the coming days.
“This is a sitting member of Congress,” conservative influencer account Libs of TikTok posted on X.
“Torres is a sitting member of Congress and a complete lunatic,” conservative influencer Paul Szypula posted on X.
“Demonic possession,” White House director of communications Steven Cheung posted on X.
Conservative influencer Benny Johnson called Torres “deranged” in a post on X and several users, including Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers, called for Torres to be expelled from Congress.
“Arrest her now,” the conservative influencer account Catturd posted on X.
“Found a Communist in Congress,” author James Lindsay posted on X.
“Make it an ad,” conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller posted on X.