The opening of a Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee on Tuesday included references to Donald Trump’s criticism of Mexican immigrants.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu emphasized the strong economic ties between Wisconsin and Mexico at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. But she said the cooperation comes at a time of prejudice and misinformation, and she urges understanding and solidarity.
“For facts speak against stereotypes. History against bigotry. Cooperation against xenophobia,” Ruiz Massieu said.
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Mexico will continue to cooperate with the United States government, she said, but Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, often promises to make Mexico pay for a wall between the two countries and deport roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Republican U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy said he “fundamentally disagrees” with Trump on deporting 11 million undocumented residents, but Duffy defends securing the border and said the U.S. and Mexico can remain friends after doing so.
“Securing our border is important, and that doesn’t mean we can’t have friendships,” Duffy said. “Listen, I was the one who met with this community, and after 20 years trying to get this consulate here, I’m the guy from Northern Wisconsin. I took the issue up and drove it.”
Duffy said he worked with U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson and Gov. Scott Walker on the consulate.
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