Associated Press
Dec. 15, 2002

MEXICO CITY - President Vicente Fox urged Mexicans who live
in the United States to report any corrupt border officials
they encounter as they return home for the holidays.

During a weekly radio address Saturday, Fox and members of
his government gave out Web sites and toll-free telephone
numbers with directions on how to report abuse by Mexican
customs and other government officials.

Thousands of Mexican migrants head home for Christmas each
year, many loaded with cash and gifts.

Some fall victim to highway bandits, others to border
officials who rob them or make them pay bribes.

This year, stepping up a campaign to end the abuse, the
government is offering police escorts to returning migrants
and has posted more than 1,000 independent observers to
reduce corruption.

A caller to the radio program, Leopoldo Mares, suggested
migrants carry hidden video cameras to record abuse.

Fox praised the idea as "excellent" and suggested they also
carry cellphones to immediately report officials.

Mares, a migrant worker himself, agreed that was a good idea,
but said officials had stolen the cellphone of one of his
friends.

Fox responded by promising to "redouble efforts" at fighting
corruption.

"I assure you that those involved will be punished without
exception," he said. "But we require the report. We require
the photograph. We require the telephone call."