Elvira Arellano, Mexican lawmakers to push immigration "reform"

It looks like Elvira Arellano is going to be the gift that keeps on giving: she'll continue to push for an amnesty from Mexico, and she'll be assisted in that by Mexican politicians. Her radicalism (see the fifth update to that link) can be used to discredit all of her future efforts and those with whom she's linked; if we're lucky some additional U.S. leaders might decide to help her cause.

From this (via this):

...Mexican authorities and activists wasted no time in trying to capitalize on Arellano's new cachet, scrambling to align themselves with Arellano and gently suggesting what the newest chapter in her life should look like.

On Wednesday, Arellano, 32, plans to travel to Mexico City, where on Thursday she plans to stand with a group of Mexican congressmen to denounce the U.S. Congress for not passing more lenient immigration reforms.

Plans are also under way for Arellano to headline a Sept. 12 rally near Tijuana's border with California, an appearance meant to coincide with a demonstration planned in Washington...

...Rosario Ibarra, a prominent human-rights activist in Mexico City, suggested that Arellano use her celebrity to chastise the Mexican government for not providing enough economic opportunities to keep its people in the country.

Raul Rios, a Mexican congressman from Arellano's home state of Michoacan, suggested she should push Mexican consulates in the U.S. to do more to help undocumented immigrants. "We should start by fixing our own house," Rios said, adding he helped to create a nonpartisan coalition on immigration issues to work with Arellano.

"Elvira is an example, not just for those who live in the United States but for immigrants all over the world," said Jose Jacques [Medina], a Mexican congressman from California. "I think she can convert herself into an icon for a struggle that is even more global, that addresses the root causes of migration."

Yes, the "struggle".

UPDATE: From the AP:

A Mexican Senate committee passed a measure Wednesday urging President Felipe Calderon to send a diplomatic note to the United States protesting the deportation of an illegal migrant who took refuge in a Chicago church for a year.

The committee also approved a scholarship to help her 8-year-old U.S.-born son, Saul, who is an American citizen and stayed in the United States.

..."We cannot remain quiet in view of this injustice and must ask for firm action from our authorities," Mexican Sen. Humberto Zazue said.

He accused the United States of violating international deportation accords by denying her access to the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.

..."For me it is very important that our government take a strong stand to defend all of us who decide to migrate to another country," [EA] said.

Immigration2007b · Wed, 08/22/2007 - 17:34 · · Importance: 1