Mexico GDP to Shrink 6.5%-7.5% This Year, Bank Says

Jens Erik Gould and Hugh Collins, Bloomberg, 7/29/2009
The economy will shrink 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent this year, the bank said in a report today, compared with an April forecast for a maximum 4.8 percent decline. The economy shrank 10.5 percent to 11 percent in the second quarter amid the swine flu outbreak and shutdowns [...]

Mexico lawman and his family are slain

Dudley Althaus, Houston Chronicle, 7/29/2009
A senior municipal police commander, his wife and four children were executed and their home torched in a predawn attack Wednesday in the port of Veracruz.
Jesus Antonio Romero had only recently been appointed operations chief for the joint police force of Veracruz and neighboring Boca del Rio. Both cities have become [...]

Kerlikowske Visits Rehabilitation Center for Juvenile Addicts (In Spanish)

El Universal, 7/29/2009
The United States Drug tsar Gil Kerlikowske, today visited the Center for Juveline Integration in Iztapalapa, one of the areas most affected by juvenile delinquency and drug consumption.
While visiting Mr. Kerlikowske spoke with addicts about their treatment. They explained that treatment usually begins with family therapy, artistic and manual activities and job [...]

Press Release: Frustration Mounts as DHS Continues and Expands Bush-Era Immigration Enforcement Strategies

Common Dreams, 7/29/2009
On the heels of several reports critical of the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement and detention policies, grassroots advocates for immigration reform took to the streets today to protest the continuation and expansion of ineffective Bush-era tactics.
Their protests echo the findings of credible reports and the recommendations of law enforcement officials, [...]

U.S. Ccourt Approves Gulf of Mexico Oil Drilling Plan

Reuters, 7/29/2009
In a big win for oil companies, a federal appeals court said it will allow the U.S. Interior Department to move forward with oil and natural gas leasing plans for the Gulf of Mexico that were drawn up by the Bush administration.
The department in May sought clarification of a court decision that struck down [...]

Mexico: Free Health Insurance for Tourists

The New York Times, 7/29/2009
Americans looking for health insurance coverage might want to try Mexico City, where the local government announced a plan to lure tourists by offering what is billed as free medical care in case of accidents or disease.
Designed to win back tourists scared of contracting swine flu in the Mexican capital, [...]

Report: Immigration Detention Violated Standards

Associated Press, 7/29/2009
Immigrant advocates say the federal government has failed to meet its own standards for detaining immigrants, making it unduly difficult for immigrants to defend themselves in court and fight to remain in the country.
A report released Tuesday says detainees face limited access to phones, mail and law libraries in violation of federal standards. [...]