Perhaps Tancredo misremembered what he was told. But I have accurately reported the quote that was in the article. I report, you decide.
In any event, I don't think it materially changes the main issue (and well known fact) that Mexico actively encourages its citizens to illegally move to the US.
Yes, that’s why I said ‘small side note.’ Off topic, if you will.
(Seriously, though: If Tancredo ‘misremembered what he was told’ (as you suggest) his ‘does this make sense?’ skills must be close to zero. A country with 110+ mln population and abundent natural resources (oil!) has a GDP of only $30 bln? Knock, knock, hello McFly? That improbability just *has* to be obvious to anyone with any (economic) sense at all. (Which is why I looked up the figures back then in the first place - it just jumps out at you as wholly unrealistic. Like Gore claiming millions of degrees for the earth’s center; ‘Guam tipping over’, etc. etc. - politicians making idiotic statements)) No offense to you.
OK, carry on with the thread then.