DENVER—Former presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo accused visiting Mexican President Felipe Calderon of meddling in U.S. affairs Thursday, telling him he should focus on his country’s own problems instead of “encouraging illegal immigration.”
In a letter sent to the Mexican Embassy, the Colorado Republican responded to remarks Calderon made to the California Legislature Wednesday in which Calderon said Mexico and the United States “will never find prosperity by closing their doors.”
“While I appreciate your concern for our joint prosperity,” Tancredo wrote, “the economic and social ills that plague your country cannot be resolved by simply exporting your citizens to the United States.”
“Unfortunately, your recent comments indicate that Mexico will continue its policy of encouraging illegal immigration and treating the United States as little more than a dumping ground for your social and economic problems,” Tancredo said, adding, “It is no secret that the purpose of your visit is to influence the American election.”
Tancredo ran on a strong anti-illegal immigration platform before abandoning his long-shot campaign for the GOP presidential nomination.
Calderon visited New York, Massachusetts and Chicago before California. It was his first visit to the U.S. since he was elected president in 2006. He was returning to Mexico Thursday.
The Mexican Embassy in Washington did not immediately return a call for comment.
Tancredo said in a phone interview Thursday that Calderon “came here to make us accept (Mexico’s) problems.”
“That is highly annoying,” he said.
Tancredo said he has never met or spoken with Calderon but would welcome the opportunity. He’s pessimistic that’ll happen, though.
“I don’t think I’m going to get an invitation any time soon,” he said.
