Mexican Senate OKs Bill Aiding Emigres

Mexico’s Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday granting millions of Mexicans living abroad a wide range of benefits, including the right to vote and hold dual citizenship.

Among those directly affected by the legislation, which implements constitutional reforms ratified last year, are an estimated 4 million native-born Mexicans living legally in the United States.

The legislation, passed by a vote of 104 to 0, now goes to the Chamber of Deputies, where it is expected to be approved before becoming law.

Before the constitution was reformed last year, Mexicans living abroad were denied social security benefits, could not vote and--if they took United States or other foreign citizenship--lost their Mexican citizenship.