HYPOCRITES!!!

TULTITLAN, Mexico -- A state policeman fatally shot a local man whom he apparently mistook for a Central American immigrant during a raid on undocumented workers Monday, infuriating residents who overturned and smashed two immigration service trucks.

People of this town just north of Mexico City expressed outrage that police would open fire on fleeing migrants and said the victim was a construction worker on a lunch break whose dark skin and work clothes may have made him look like a potential target.

State Police Cmdr. Jorge Cruz Cid said several officers from the Mexico State police force helping federal immigration agents in the raid were detained for questioning.

Raids target Guatemalans



Tultitlan is frequented by Central Americans who slip across the Guatemala-Mexico border and ride trains north in hopes of reaching the United States. Immigration raids here are frequent -- migrants often stop to buy or beg for food -- and residents say police often detain townspeople mistakenly.

''They come and grab people just because they are dark-skinned,'' said Virginia Sanchez, a Tultitlan housewife.

The dead man was identified as Roberto Lugo, a Tultitlan resident who was about 20 years old. Residents said he was neither running nor trying to confront police when he was shot at point-blank range.

Townspeople and Central American migrants interviewed at the scene said Mexican police frequently rob and abuse undocumented migrants.

''If you're carrying any money, they take it from you; federal, local police, all of them,'' said Carlos Lopez, 28, an undocumented migrant from Guatemala City. Sitting nearby, Jose Ramos, 18, of El Salvador, agreed.

''If you're on a bus, they pull you off and search your pockets and if you have any money, they keep it,'' Ramos said.