Xinhua
22 Apr 2025

MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday criticized an anti-immigrant advertising campaign made by the U.S. government and broadcast by privately-owned Mexican television stations.

At her daily press conference, the president denounced the ad, saying it contains "highly discriminatory content," and "attacks human dignity, and could encourage rejection and violence against migrants."

Her administration has formally requested its withdrawal, she said, adding the Mexican Constitution prohibits "any act or practice of discrimination," and the Federal Telecommunications Law stipulates "that programming broadcast within the framework of freedom of expression must promote the dissemination of artistic, historical, and cultural values, national unity, and respect for human rights," principles violated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the government agency behind the ad.

Following the ad's airing, Sheinbaum said that her administration will seek to reinstate an article in the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law which prohibits radio and television concession holders and license holders from broadcasting political, ideological, or commercial propaganda paid for by foreign governments.

"The issue is that they are paying to be able to broadcast these ads, this propaganda, which has a discriminatory message," she said.

In the meantime, her administration has asked broadcasters to remove the ad, which features U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem warning would-be undocumented migrants from trying to enter the United States.