President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo recognized the actress from Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Salma Hayek. It was during her morning press conference this Monday, April 28, that the president applauded the famous artist.
The president’s comment was prompted by a reporter’s question about prominent Mexican figures on the international stage.
“We have followed how various figures in the social, sports, and business worlds have contributed to Mexico’s international profile and also to the country’s internal development,” she said, citing Altagracia Gómez as an example.
“How do you think other sectors and their representatives can contribute—to name a few, Viridiana Álvarez, Canelo Álvarez in sports, or Alejandro Fernández in music—to building a better country? Furthermore, President, could you also share with us some names that, in your opinion, are leaders in these sectors who are already playing a relevant role in the process of national transformation?” the reporter asked the president.
First, Sheibaum Pardo considered that “all Mexicans represent Mexico around the world, and in particular, they may or may not have a connection to the transformation movement, but they honor Mexico,” and cited the filmmakers who have won Oscars as examples.
“Maybe they don’t agree with us, but they are Mexicans who honor our country; athletes, singers, so we should always be grateful.”
President Claudia Sheibaum Pardo applauded Salma Hayek for a video the actress shared on her social media on April 7. In the recording, she calls for solidarity with Latino migrants in the United States, a sector that has recently been severely undermined by the policies and discourse of President Donald Trump.
“Salma Hayek recently made a video—I just remembered it—about the importance of Latinos in the United States,” she said, and assured that she will request that the video be shown at another morning press conference.
“It’s too late today, but we’ll put it up another day (…) you can look for it and we’ll put it up here, and that’s very important, because (…) Mexico is a great country. The thing is, for years the presidents who governed us didn’t believe it. That’s the problem,” the president said.
Salma Hayek’s Video Background
Actress Salma Valgarma Hayek Pinault, known simply as Salma Hayek, released a video to express solidarity with Latino migrants in the United States, a sector that has been severely targeted by President Donald Trump’s policies and speeches.
According to international media, among the Trump administration’s latest actions on immigration was the decision to order the immediate departure of migrants who entered during Biden’s presidency through an application, CBP One. This gave them temporary permission to remain in the country for two years.
“I feel like all this information sometimes creates more confusion instead of clarifying things, so I’m going to share some facts with you,” Hayek begins in the recording, which shows some news headlines related to immigration in the United States.
Salma Hayek explains that in 1996, the IRS created the ITIN, which stands for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. This, he explains, was initiated solely for undocumented immigrants as an invitation to pay taxes so they could demonstrate “good moral character.”
The revenue would be $986 billion. And these taxes do not qualify migrants for access to social security or improved immigration status. “Undocumented migrants paying taxes,” says Hayek.
Another point the Veracruz actress details is about business entrepreneurship by Latinos and Latinas.
“Latino entrepreneurs are starting businesses at a faster rate than any other demographic group, making up 36 percent of all new businesses in the United States by 2023,” she explains.
Based on specialized sources, she asserts that if American Latinos were a country, they would be the fifth-largest economy in the country. “By 2027, we are expected to surpass Germany and Japan, if we were a country,” she says.
Latino GDP has had the highest growth rate, even that of China, says Salma Hayek in her video with statistics, and a person is heard saying: “Latinos are the best hope for the American economy.”
“I hope you found this information interesting or at least thought provoking,” Salma Hayek concludes her recording.
