On May 20, 2010, the President and the First Lady hosted their second formal State Dinner, inviting President Felipe Calderon and First Lady Margarita Zavala of Mexico into the White House, or as President Obama called it, “la Casa Blanca.” In an exchange of dinner toasts, President Obama celebrated the partnership between the two neighboring countries:
We celebrate all that Mexican Americans have contributed to the United States — leaders in every segment of our society, including many of the guests who are here tonight, and a culture that treasures family and faith. Indeed, America is enriched by el sabor de Mexico.
And we celebrate the partnership between our two countries. Mr. President, I must say it again: In the fight for your country’s future, you’ve shown extraordinary courage, extraordinary bravery, and you and the Mexican people have a full and committed partner in the United States.
A month earlier, First Lady Michelle Obama chose Mexico as her first solo international official visit. Mrs. Obama reaffirmed America’s strong relationship with Mexico and the historic and close ties between its people.
In addition to spending time with President Calderon and Mrs. Zavala at Los Pinos, the First Lady visited a primary and secondary school, delivered remarks at a Mexico City university and meet with a group of young Mexican leaders.
Mrs. Obama’s international platform supports the President’s global engagement efforts with an emphasis on engaging young people around the world.
President Obama and President Calderon have had a number of bilateral meeting, most recently in Los Cabos, Mexico. President Calderon stated:
… I would like to thank personally, and on behalf of the Mexican nation, President Barack Obama for his valuable decision by executive order to give an opportunity for young people who were not born in the United States but who arrived in that great nation before they were 16 years of age, or who are studying in university, or who have served in the United States armed forces, for them not to be deported for at least a period of two years, so this is a clear and certain situation for them.
