EU Official Criticizes U.S.-Mexico Wall

AP
Wednesday April 18, 2007

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Tuesday criticized U.S. plans to extend barriers along its border with Mexico, saying immigrants should not be treated like criminals.

"A wall that separates one country from another is not something that I like or that the European Union members like," Solana said at a news conference in Mexico City. "We don't think walls are reasonable instruments to stop people from crossing into a country."

The EU believes immigrants should be treated "like people, not like criminals," he said.

In October, President Bush signed a bill calling for 680 miles of new fencing to be built along the border, despite objections from the Mexican government.

Mexico has lobbied for comprehensive immigration reform that would let more migrants enter the United States legally.

More than 11 million Mexicans live in the United States, most illegally.