The US-based Mexican vote

The Mexican presidential race was too close to call. Like Florida in 2000, every vote was of vital importance, apparently even those from foreign countries. It appears the eventual winner might need to thank Mexicans living in America who temporarily migrated back across the border to cast ballots:

A large stream of Mexicans trekked on foot and piled into cars to cross the border and vote in towns from Tijuana in the west to Nuevo Laredo below Texas.

Reuters was very careful not to label these people as illegals, using the term--"U.S. based Mexicans", whatever that means. Another story from SFGate claimed most were not illegal:

For those in the U.S. illegally, they didn't dare cross the border to vote in person. Fear over the last year kept many from traveling to Mexico to apply for a voter card, necessary to request an absentee ballot or vote in Mexico on Election Day.

Well, ok. But in the same story they talk about farm workers traveling to Tijauna to vote without mentioning their status.

Also included in that story were some real puzzlers, on par with rhetoric heard during the Cinco de Mayo marches. Like this comment, for example:

Mexicans said the new president would have a vital role in helping millions of undocumented immigrants get legal residency. Outgoing President Vicente Fox made immigration a priority in recent months, traveling to the United States to encourage Congress to pass legislation giving illegal immigrants a chance at citizenship.

"It's important for the new president to fight for rights for Mexicans in this country," said Araceli Rodriguez, of Florida City, Fla., who voted with an absentee ballot. "We're always fighting hard to make it, but we've been living under more pressure, more strain."

Outrageous. Arrogant statements such as those represent just another illustratation of why so many Americans are hopping mad about this issue.