Mexico warning to illegal immigrants

The Mexican Government says it hopes to halt the growing number of Mexicans attempting to illegally cross the border into the United States and do more to protect those who do migrate north.

On Tuesday the head of the government's Office for Mexicans Abroad, Juan Hernandez, unveiled a video campaign being shown on long-distance buses travelling towards the border area.

Mr Hernandez said the illegal crossing was very dangerous and the government wanted to do everything it could to save lives.

Most of the videos carry the blunt message not to go.

Others in the series warn against illegal immigrant smugglers known locally as polleros, and the risk of catching Aids, which the government says is spreading in areas of Mexico where large numbers of people emigrate back and forth.

Almost 500 Mexicans died trying to make it to the US last year.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service