Mexican consul general visits Grand Junction

Mexico would prefer its citizens stay in their home country, contribute to the economy there and earn money there, rather than leave for the United States, said Eduardo Arnal, consul general of Mexico.

A lawyer and former congressman in Mexico, Arnal, 37, stopped briefly in Grand Junction Thursday on a quick trip through western Colorado.

Arnal was to have left for Mexico this morning, but not before commenting on hot-button topics like immigration, the presidential race, a recent comment by State Rep. Doug Bruce and the less-contentious topic of commerce between the countries.

Doug Bruce’s comments

Republican State Rep. Doug Bruce offended Arnal and the Mexican government Monday after Bruce called Mexican farm workers “illiterate peasants.”

“That was unacceptable and offensive,” Arnal said. “It does not contribute in any way to our good relations — great relations — between Mexico and the state of Colorado.”

It’s more offensive, considering the comment came from a man elected to represent many people, Arnal said.

“It’s unfortunate, and of course, yes, it’s offensive,” Arnal said. “I respect deeply and the Mexican government respects deeply the right he has to say anything he wants, but we don’t share his comments at all.”

“But what can I tell you — his own partners censured him,” Arnal said, referring to the Legislature formally censuring him for kicking a news photographer during the legislature’s opening day prayer in January.

Arnal has not met Bruce, nor does he have any particular desire to.

Immigration

The United States decides who can enter the United States legally — not Mexico, said Arnal.

“Sometimes people ask why some people don’t bring documents to the U.S., and the answer is, they can’t,” he said of Mexicans seeking jobs in the U.S. “It’s an internal decision of the American government and we respect that.”

Mexicans will ask the American embassy for permission to work here, but “it’s almost impossible” to gain permission.

On allowing more migrant workers into the United States, “It’s a decision of the American authorities, and we respect that,” Arnal said. “That is not our role.

“The only thing we can do is strengthen the relationship.

“We don’t want our people to emigrate,” he said.

“We cannot say anything pro or against it,” Arnal said. “Comprehensive immigration reform is a reality,” but ultimately, the issue is in the hands of American politicians.

“We have to create better incomes, better jobs to encourage people to stay. We want our people to come back,” he said. As is the case in the United States, Mexican baby boomers will soon retire in the coming years, forcing the import of a workforce, “And that’s unacceptable,” but also, “it’s a reality.”

Mexico has the 10th largest economy worldwide, he said, and that leads to “a real demand for workers.”

American politics

Arnal would not endorse one of the three leading candidates for U.S. president, but he said all three are “the less radicals in the race. American voters did not support the candidates who held a radical position.

“In any country, the radicals make things a little bit more difficult.”

Of Democrats, U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain, “any of the three, I guess is not radical, and that is good,” Arnal said.

Why visit?

Arnal said he would be back to Grand Junction because of its population size and because he had to leave early during this trip. He plans to return to meet with Mexican nationals here.

During this tour, Arnal visited law enforcement authorities in Durango, Montrose, Delta and Grand Junction “to be a bridge between the Mexican community and the authorities.”

He also met with Mexican nationals in all but Grand Junction.

Sometimes Mexicans fear community involvement, he said.

“For example, they can be afraid to report a crime because they are afraid of the immigration issues,” Arnal said. “We try to explain they don’t have to be afraid.

“We try to encourage them to participate and become part of the communities ... because — documents or not — they live in this country and they have rights.

"They pay taxes. They are working hard.

“It doesn’t matter if they have documents or not. They are Mexican citizens.”

Arnal will also send his Consul for Community Affairs Laszlo Kalloi to meet with the Mexican community in Grand Junction and elsewhere. He also plans to send the Mobile Consulate, extend consular services of providing passports and ID cards to Mexican national beyond his Denver office.

Commerce visit

Arnal also emphasized heavily the economic benefits of Mexico to the United States and to Colorado.

“We are the third largest trade partner with the U.S., behind Canada and China,” he said.

The United States imported $335 billion in Chinese goods, while Mexico was close behind, selling $325 billion in goods to U.S. customers, Arnal said.

“In 2006, Mexico bought American goods to the tune of $132 billion. That’s more than Japan, U.K. and France combined,” Arnal said. “If that’s not being a good customer, I don’t know what is.”

Arnal also wants to promote tourism and culture between Grand Junction and Mexico.

Reach Marija B. Vader at mvader@gjfreepress.com.