Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly expressed her opposition to labeling migrant workers as criminals during a high-level meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

This statement comes amid the U.S.'s tightened immigration policies and ahead of a possible meeting with former President Donald Trump at the G7 summit.

“We discussed migration,” Sheinbaum told reporters after the meeting. “I also raised the issue of trade, which is very important to us. Additionally, I conveyed my concerns about our compatriots living in the U.S. We oppose criminalizing migrant workers. He [Landau] said he would convey this message to the State Department and President Trump.”

In an additional statement on Wednesday, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of the Mexican diaspora and other migrant communities.

“We want the Mexican community, and Latinos and other migrants in general, to be recognized for their honorable and honest work,” she said. “But it is primarily our responsibility to defend this community. I told him that this is one of the issues I intend to discuss with President Trump at the G7.”

The president also touched on a broader cooperation agenda between the two countries. According to her, preparations are underway for a follow-up meeting in Mexico with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“This follows the meeting in Washington between the security cabinet and the Foreign Ministry,” Sheinbaum explained. “No exact date has been set yet, but we have agreed on the importance of continuing the dialogue.”

President Sheinbaum’s firm stance highlights growing diplomatic tensions over immigration enforcement at a time when Mexico’s role in regional migration policy is being defined. This issue is expected to be a key topic in upcoming multilateral talks.

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