Mexico opens new Mexican consulate in Arkansas

By Rob Moritz, Arkansas News Bureau: The state's first foreign diplomatic office - a Mexican consulate - officially opened its doors Wednesday . . . The consulate, Mexico's 47th in the United States, will not only serve as link between the U.S. and Mexico, but it also will offer services to the growing Mexican population living Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma . . .

Arturo Zarukhan, the Mexican ambassador to the U.S., told a crowd of more than 300 that he hopes the consulate will "deepen and widen the relationship" between Arkansas and Mexico. Our bilateral relationship has a direct, immediate and tangible impact on the economic, social and well being of our two peoples, and in this vibrant relationship ... this consulate plays a key role," he said. . . .

When asked . . . whether the consulate would get involved in federal immigrations sweeps or other immigration matters, Zarukhan said, "There's a limit to what the consulate can do." "We cannot interfere with the application of the law in the United States," he said. "But certainly the consulates do get involved when the rights of those individuals who have been detained, have been violated, or when you have instances of families that are torn asunder and parents are deported and the kids stay here. "The ambassador said the consulate would make sure Mexican citizens have access to their documents, and passports, and it will address labor disputes and human rights issues. (Andres Chao, the new consul) said the consulate would not be a way station for illegal immigrants to enter the country. He said his office would issue special identification cards, which are accepted by some banks for opening of checking accounts. [Read More]

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Tags: Arkansas, Mexican consulate, Mexican Government, Mexico