Let my people drive: Mexican mayor at Nutter visit

Revised: This article from the Sol de Puebla newspaper shows Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter on his recent visit to his peer, the Mayor of Puebla, Jose' Antonio Gali-Fayad -- Tony Gali to his friends -- one of the cities whose residents have streamed north to work in Philadelphia.

The article recounts a Joint Declaration of cultural and economic-development cooperation. Puebla's Mayor Gali also praises efforts to give migrants drivers' license in the U.S.

Nutter got a fine testimonial from Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, Consul-General in Philadelphia for Mexico (one of four nations which still have fulltime diplomatic missions in Philadelphia). The diplomat "said Nutter had shown he's a 'great friend' of the Mexican community, adding that immigration is an opportunity, not a problem."  

And here, in the business paper Financiero, Mexico's secretary for foreign relations, José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, credits Nutter for opening an immigrant-support office, points out that Mexican immigration to Philadelphia has accelerated, and notes Nutter's statement that immigration strengthens Philadelphia's economy.

Puebla is kind of Mexico's Philadelphia: Colonial charm; fourth-largest city in the country; stirring history; and not much of world note has happened there since Independence.