Mexicans voice anger toward consulate
ALYSON VAN DEUSEN • alyson@thespectrum.com • June 22, 2008


ST. GEORGE - Hundreds of Mexican nationals were turned away with police assistance Saturday during the Mexican Consulate's first visit to Southern Utah in three years.


The consulate was stationed at the St. George Catholic Church, where officials issued identification cards and passports to Mexicans, as well as helped with other issues.

Spending one day in Southern Utah did not provide enough time to help everyone who was in need of the consulate's services.

"It's not fair," said Paulo Avendano, who was turned away Saturday. "I don't understand why they can't spend two days here."

Avendano has a work visa and lives in St. George, he said.

Police were called by consulate officials to help disperse people who were not on the appointment list from the crowded church facility. Officials estimated that they assisted about 250 families during their visit to St. George.

"Basically, we have taken a list to help 250 people today," said Tony Yapias, director of Projecto Latino de Utah. "We will help as many as we can physically handle today."

Usually, the consulate will see about 150 people in one visit, he said.

Yapias said the Mexican Consulate can help parents register their children for dual citizenship, assist with issues involving power of attorney, and issue identification cards and passports.

Passports help identify who a person is, which can be crucial for Mexicans living in the United States, Yapias said.

"With immigration enforcement, you want legitimate documentation of who you are that no one can argue with," he said.

The consulate office, which is based in Salt Lake City, serves Mexicans living in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, Yapias said. The consulate travels to different areas within their designated region every weekend to provide mobile counsels.

The people who were not able to see consulate officials Saturday may make appointments at the Salt Lake City office, Yapias said.

However, traveling all the way to Salt Lake isn't an option for everyone, Avendano said.

"First, you have to take a day without working," he said. "The gasoline is also so expensive, and you have to either sleep in your car or pay for a hotel."

The travel costs are added to the expenses of the documents, which range in price from approximately $75 to more than $100, Avendano said.

Yapias said the consulate officials are aware of the number of people who would utilize their services and will return soon.

Maximino Gonzalez, along with Hilda and Yazmine Gonzalez, arrived at the church at about 6 a.m. to be one of the first names on the schedule, they said. The consulate was scheduled to help people from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. but did not arrive until approximately 8:30 a.m.

Maximino said he, too, wishes consulate officials would stay for a couple of days when they visit St. George.

"We will make special arrangements for emergencies," Yapias said.





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