President said Mexicans take U.S. jobs not even blacks want to do MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox came under criticism Saturday after saying Mexicans were willing to take jobs that not even blacks want to do in the United States.
Foxs remark Friday came a day after Mexico announced it would formally protest recent U.S. immigration reforms, including the decision to extend walls along the border and make it harder for illegal migrants to get drivers licenses.
Theres no doubt that the Mexican men and women full of dignity, willpower and a capacity for work are doing the work that not even blacks want to do in the United States, Fox told a meeting of the Texas-Mexico Frozen Food Council in the western city of Puerto Vallarta on Friday.
The Mexican newspaper Milenio cited Vicente Foxs racist comment in a small front-page headline, while the newspaper Reforma called the presidents words controversial.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson told CNN that the comments were unwitting, unnecessary and inappropriate.
He said the president should not confuse the need for sound legal immigration policy between the two countries, which is important, and the border disputes between the two countries, with a spurious comparison.
Mexicos foreign relations secretary, Luis Derbez, said Fox was not motivated by racism but was emphasizing that Mexican migrants are making great contributions in the United States and that their role is a positive role.