Originally posted by cdtm
That's really all I thought he meant.And it's still a bad message. Why not make Mexico better, instead of defending this "human right" to relocate?
Because it isn't politically expedient to admit you just want to reduce the drain on the Mexican economy? I mean, what other reason could it be? If it's for their sake, you make things better here, not encourage them to find a better life somewhere else, on someone elses tax dollar.
He does want to make Mexico better. Just because he defended those who left Mexico to seek out opportunity in the US, doesn't mean that's all there is to him. He currently doesn't hold an office though, and even if he were president, drastic improvements can take months or even years for their full effect to be felt. Meanwhile, those who are suffering and desperate need something sooner than later, and some risk everything to come here to the US. He understands their plight, which is why he came to their defense, but that does not mean he thinks immigration is the solution to the problems Mexican citizens are facing.
He's making another bid for president, and I hope he is elected this time around. He's a progressive leader, and he's big on human rights:
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (wikipedia page)
As far as the thing about them finding a better life on someone else's tax dollars, well...
Undocumented Immigrants Contribute over $11 Billion to Our Economy Each Year