Idaho Bills Mexico

[Nemont]

A Canyon County Commissioner sends a bill to Mexico for the care of illegal aliens.

Vasquez bills Mexico for $2 million

By Michael McAuliffe - IPT
CALDWELL -- Canyon County Commissioner Robert Vasquez sent a bill for $2 million to the Mexican government on Wednesday.

He says Mexican citizens in the county illegally are costing local taxpayers for jails and welfare programs.

The invoice demands reimbursement "for payment of services rendered to Mexican citizens who have illegally entered the United States and received services from the government of Canyon County, Idaho."

In the past, Vasquez has frequently condemned American taxpayer financing of immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally.

"Illegal aliens are not immigrants," Vasquez said, charging that they bring "disease and crime" and threaten the national security of the United States.

"The reality is, we are securing the borders of Iraq, but are not securing the borders of the United States," Vasquez said Wednesday during a press conference at the Canyon County Courthouse.

Joetta Fulgenzi of the Canyon Area Human Rights Task Force said Vasquez's comments and decision to bill the Mexican government were counterproductive to U.S-Mexico relations.

"One of the things that has been a positive part of the United States is that we have always had a strong relationship with our neighbors to the north and to the south," Fulgenzi said.

Adding actions such as those undertaken by Vasquez could be "very hurtful to the relationship between our country and our neighbors to either side of us."

Fulgenzi added that people have long immigrated to America in a number of ways, and that the country has a history of accepting people who choose to make a better life for themselves here.

The $2,009,315.07 invoice Vasquez sent to the Mexican consulate in Salt Lake City, Utah, includes demands for the payment of about $1.4 million for expenses related to the incarceration of Mexican nationals held in the Canyon County jail and $575,000 for medical services provided by the county to Mexican citizens who entered the country illegally.

Although the Mexican consulate had yet to receive the commissioner's letter and invoice, an official there Wednesday said the request sounded unfair when it includes Mexicans who pay income and sales taxes locally despite their legal status.

"They are paying taxes without benefit," said Arturo Chavarria, the official in charge of the consulate's department that helps Mexican nationals deal with U.S. authorities. "It doesn't make any sense that someone says, 'You have to reimburse me.'"

In a prepared statement, Vasquez indicated that the Mexican government should be held accountable for the costs he says Canyon County taxpayers must shoulder to take care of Mexican citizens who enter the U.S. without proper authorization.

"If the (Mexican) consulate can send people to provide matricula cards, then they should be able to help Mexican nationals here illegally to get back to Mexico. At the very least, they should provide some compensation to the Canyon County taxpayer that is bearing the financial burden," Vasquez said.

The commissioner said he was acting independently of the county commission as a whole, but that he hoped other elected leaders at all levels of government would follow his lead.

"If the federal government will not act, then we at the local level must do so," Vasquez said.

[ 04-28-2004, 16:10: Message edited by: Nemont ]

 

[Bambistew]

What waste of stationary!!!

 

[JoseCuervo]

It was my property taxes that paid for that stationery.

The other two Commissioners are distancing themselves on this, and the Statesman had an editorial ripping him on how stupid of a stunt this was.

 

[Whiskers]

I think its a good idea. Just send the bill to the State Department. Have them GARNISH the monies we send to MEXICO.

 

[Ten Bears]

Good idea WHISKERS. I like the idea of billing Mexico for the care of illegals, and as for the sales tax issue, well they also use our roads, parks, and other community funded facilities.

 

[Moosie]

I like it

But it's just cuz I lve in Canyon County

 

[Ten Bears]

Then lead the way.