U.S. philosophers slam Trump's anti-Mexican policies

Nearly 500 philosophers from across the United States on Wednesday announced their rejection of the anti-Mexican policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In an open letter signed by more than 480 philosophers working at universities around the country -- and posted to the website of a leading Mexican university -- the academics stated their "strong repudiation of the Trump administration's intended policies towards our neighboring country of Mexico."

The "xenophobic" policies "distort our deep historic, economic, cultural and academic bonds," the undersigned said.

"We are deeply concerned by the fact that plans are already underway for the construction of a wall on our border under the premise that Mexicans themselves will pay for it. This is an unacceptable threat, an act of profound disrespect, and a direct aggression to an historic economic partner and cherished friend," the group said.

They also expressed "major ... concern" for "the announced mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, including Mexicans," and urged the administration "to change these erroneous and compromising policies."

Academics from some of the most prestigious universities joined in denouncing the measures, including MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and NYU.

Mexico's National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), whose Institute of Philosophical Research (IIF) hosted the letter on its website, said it was working closely with its academic counterparts in the U.S.

The director of the IIF, Pedro Stepanenko Gutierrez, who coauthored the open letter, warned Mexicans against turning against the U.S. or its citizens, despite deteriorating bilateral ties under Trump.

"It behooves us to show solidarity with U.S. citizens who must endure their president and not foster a nationalism that closes ranks against all North Americans," he said in a statement. Enditem