The Mexican government has hired a U.S. public relations agency to help improve the country's image and stem the immigration backlash. The Mexican government is angry and frustrated by the immigration bill the United States House of Representatives passed last week. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
Mexican President Vicente Fox says the immigration bill is shameful. His foreign secretary says the 700 mile border fence proposed by Congressman Duncan Hunter is stupid. Secretary Luis Derbez says the measure turns a blind eye to Mexican migrant's contributions to the U.S. economy.
Rob Allyn heads the Texas-based public relations firm the Mexican government hired. He thinks educating Americans about Mexico will change their views on immigration.
Allyn: "So there's been great progress in Mexico but people in the United States haven't necessarily heard about that yet. And I believe when they know the full picture on where Mexico is today as a stable successful democracy, that they're gonna view issues like immigration and border security in a completely different light."
President Fox has been promising immigration reform since he took office in 2000. He has one year left in his term. The PR firm contract is also for one year. Amy Isackson, KPBS news.
