Mexico has welcomed a U.S. judge's decision to block key parts of Arizona's controversial immigration law from taking effect.
Mexican Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa issued a statement Wednesday, describing the judge's decision as a step in the right direction. Mexico's government has said it is prepared to take measures aimed at protecting its citizens in Arizona.
Also Wednesday, dozens of people who had gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City cheered when the judge's ruling was announced.
Mexico has been critical of the legislation, which has become an irritant in U.S.-Mexico relations.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon brought up the issue in May when he met with President Barack Obama at the White House for talks that covered the immigration issue as well as drug violence along the shared border.
President Calderon's government previously has warned Mexicans they could face an adverse political environment if they travel to Arizona. However, Mr. Calderon said he and Mr. Obama will work together on immigration issues.
Mr. Obama said the United States must adopt a "comprehensive" approach to immigration that includes increasing security along U.S. borders, cracking down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants, and reforming the legal immigration system. He said fences and border patrols alone will not solve the problem, and that the U.S. should create a pathway for the estimated 11 million people in the U.S. illegally to earn their citizenship.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
