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Arizona County Makes Its Special Connection To Mexico Official In July 4th Declaration

Published July 4, 2012

By LINDA CAMARILLO


NOGALES, AZ – This Independence Day brings a different sort of independence for one Southern Arizona County reasserting its ties to Mexico, the native land of the vast majority of its residents.

Santa Cruz County, Arizona sits along the Mexican border with its largest city being border-crossing town Nogales. According to most recent census data, the county’s population is 93% Latino with most of its Latino ancestry tracing its roots to Mexico.

On July 3, 2012, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took action on the sentiments of its citizens by voting to issue an annual July 4 statement of allegiance to Mexico.  The vote passed on a 2–1 vote along racial lines.  The two Latino Supervisors – Rudy Molero (District 3) and Manny Ruiz (District 2) – voted for the measure with the one Anglo supervisor Jonathan Maynard (District 1) voting against it.

The passage of the measure followed hours of debate over the language for the declaration.  Ultimately, Supervisors Ruiz and  Molero settled on a statement in Spanish that did not renounce the County’s allegiance to the United States: 

“Santa Cruz County is a diverse community.  It has a special relationship with Mexico.  This July 4, 2012 and each July 4 hereafter, Santa Cruz County hereby expresses its allegiance to Estados Unidos Mexicanos.  The sons and daughters of Santa Cruz County stand by prepared to defend their nation.”  (Translated.)

Supervisor Molero said that the statement of allegiance was a sign of the County’s commitment to diversity.  “We are a Latino majority community, and we feel a need to express our bond with Mexico,” he said.  “Mexico is an important trading partner so our county has a special interest in our connection to it.”

“This is the first county to informally return to Mexico, and it will not be the last.” 

MALDEF Executive Chair Monica Ramirez-Aguilar said that the measure signified a major milestone in the Latino movement.  “This is the first county to informally return to Mexico, and it will not be the last.”  Over 10 MALDEF members attended the Board of Supervisors meeting in Nogales.  Five were escorted out after making peaceful protests during Supervisor Maynard’s statements.  There were no arrests.

Voting against the measure, Supervisor Maynard was concerned about its implications.  “The County recently began allowing families to keep more than two roosters, but there are still positive aspects to the U.S.,” he said.  “Most people in our county speak Spanish, but I guarantee you they are watching NFL football every Sunday.”