Mexico Deports Foreigner for Putting Up Anti-Bush Posters

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HEIL DIM SON! HEIL VICENTE!

Foreigner caught putting up anti-Bush posters deported

Janet Leslie Schwartz
TheNewsMexico.com - 10/12/2001

SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, Chiapas - A Portuguese man caught putting
up insulting posters of U.S. President George W. Bush has been
deported, the National Migration Institute (INM) announced.

Thirty-one year-old, Jose Alberto Alvarez of Portugal, was caught by
police early Tuesday morning sticking up posters reading, "Wanted:
Terrorist George W. Bush," on houses and businesses. The posters also
had front and side profile shots of the U.S. President.

Under Mexican federal law, foreigners are not allowed to engage in
any type of political activity while inside national territory and,
if caught, violators could face serious punishment, including
permanent expulsion.

However, immigration officials assured the man was not deported for
violating laws governing foreigners' activity but for entering the
country with an expired passport and being in possession of an
altered tourist visa.

"While checking his [Alvarez's] documentation, an altered visa and
expired passport were found. In addition, his participation in
political acts prohibited by the General Population Law of Mexico was
reported," immigration officials said.

The Portuguese man reportedly entered the country on July 24 over
land via Mexico's border with Belize.

The INM said upon entering, he was given a visa authorizing a stay of
up to 30 days but when police examined the visa, they discovered the
"three" had been changed to a "nine."

Authorities have not yet pressed charges against two Mexicans
arrested along with Alvarez.

Yolanda Castro, spokeswoman for a local non-governmental Zapatista
organization, admitted her group has been sticking up anti-Bush
posters in protest of the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.

The morning of Alvarez's arrest five people were pursued by police
for putting up the posters, she said, but in the confusion the
Portuguese tourist was mistakenly arrested.

The INM said Alvarez appeared before Portuguese officials in Mexico
City to confirm his citizenship before being deported.
 
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