Mexican president slams U.S. "criminalization" of migrants

MEXICO CITY, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday strongly opposed the constant "criminalization" of undocumented migrants in the United States.

"The criminalization of migrants is not only an act of inhumanity, but also creates problems," Sheinbaum said, responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's hardline remarks toward migrants in a prime-time national address Wednesday night.

"We have always maintained that the best way to reduce immigration is to invest in countries, to help and protect people, to prevent poverty and inequality, because people don't emigrate by choice," the Mexican president said at a press conference.

As Thursday is the International Migrants Day, Sheinbaum reiterated that her government will never "agree with actions that criminalize migrants."

Sheinbaum also rejected portrayals of the U.S.-Mexico border as one of the world's most dangerous, saying it is undoubtedly one of the busiest, with millions of vehicles crossing for work, education and health-related reasons.