Mexican President tells Mexicans in California "Don't give up"

On Valentine's Day, Mexican President Felipe Calderon delivered an emotional message to fellow Mexicans living in Los Angeles and throughout California - "In Mexico, we miss you and think about you a lot. You work hard for this country and help Mexico at the same time. Don't give up."

Calderon told his compatriots he would give them more support while they are in the United States. Mexico's government, he said, wants to promote and even increase migration to the United States

Los Angeles is already about half Hispanic, with Mexicans citizens accounting for the vast majority of Hispanics. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, whose father was a Mexican immigrant, demonstrates the political influence of illegal aliens.

"We need to generate the conditions for work, opportunity and a dignified life so that these people never, ever have to leave," Calderon said. "We don't want to be a country that expels its people.