US firms say Mexican boycott of US products could backfire

Mexico City - 26 April 2006 1. Wide of Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City 2. Wide of traffic 3. Wide of American Chamber of Commerce press conference 4. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Larry Rubin, American Chamber of Commerce President: "What we have seen is that this (the boycott) would not be an appropriate measure because the people who are most supportive (of Mexican economy/legalising immigration) are these transnational corporations. They are the ones talking to Congress every day, calling for a better immigration policy. By pressuring the big corporations, nothing will be gained." 5. Wide of Wal-Mart store 6. Various of shoppers 7. Cutaway Rubin 8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Larry Rubin, American Chamber of Commerce President: "(Businesses are the ones) really talking to Senators in Capitol Hill about the need and the urgency of a comprehensive immigration bill. By the year 2010, we will have about 77 million Americans retiring and there are not enough Americans to cover those jobs. For us, it is key to really have an ongoing and workable economy to have those jobs filled." FILE Sonora, Mexico - April 2006 9. Mid view of vans 10. Close up of man handing out tickets explaining the human rights of migrants 11. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Zambrano Velasco, vox pop "My family stays here knowing I've left, and they give me their best blessings. They expect another meal and more money. (Q: Is it worth leaving?) It is worth it, because I earn dollars there and here in Mexico, dollars are very valuable." 12. Wide of van carrying immigrants STORYLINE: US lobbyists on Wednesday lashed out at the Mexican "Nothing Gringo" campaign timed for May 1 to coincide with the "Day Without Immigrants" boycott in the United States. Migrants and their supporters in the United States are being encouraged to skip work and school and not spend money for one day to demonstrate the migrants' importance to the US economy. But the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico said organisers are risking a backlash and foolishly targeting some of their best allies, since U.S. corporations have actively lobbied the U.S. Congress for immigration reform including legalisation for many of the estimated 11 million undocumented migrants. Mexicans' refusal to "buy American" on May 1 could further polarise the debate and make reform supporters seem anti-American at the very moment that lobbyists are trying to persuade lawmakers in Washington to pass a bill that would benefit migrants, worries Larry Rubin, the chamber's president. "US companies have been the first to lobby, launching a huge lobbying effort for immigration reform," Rubin said to reporters in Mexico City. South of the border, Mexicans are targeting American stores and chain restaurants - "That means no Dunkin' Donuts, no McDonald's, Burger King, Starbucks, Sears, Krispy Kreme or Wal-Mart," reads one e-mail making the rounds. But even activists are confused about which companies are US-owned. Sears is cited by boycott or