http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/l ... 321660.htm

Posted on Mon, Aug. 21, 2006

Mexicans seek Wichita consulate
In response to a petition, officials from the Mexican consulate in Kansas City, Mo., assist more than 1,000 people in Wichita over the weekend.
BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS
The Wichita Eagle

Officials from the Kansas City, Mo.-based Mexican consulate got to witness the local Mexican community's interest in opening a permanent Wichita office.

At a temporary office in Treatco at 2300 N. Broadway on Saturday, consulate officials assisted about 500 people and more than 1,000 people picked up information and applications, according to Beatriz Ledezma, who works for Tiempos, a Spanish-language newspaper in Wichita, and who is coordinating the effort for a Wichita consulate.

Officials were in town Saturday and Sunday giving presentations and helping people complete paperwork to obtain "matricula consulars," which are identification cards issued by the Mexican government.

Ledezma already delivered a petition July 12 to consulate officials containing 12,000 signatures gathered in 10 days. That prompted the consulate officials' visit.

She is now waiting to hear from officials in Mexico who can approve or deny the request for a Wichita consulate.

Consulates take applications for passports, register citizens living in or traveling in Mexico, inform people on voter registration, perform notary services and assist people in obtaining documentation.

There are about 49 Mexican consulates in the United States and Canada, with the majority located in Texas.

Esther Romero, an administrative officer with the Kansas City consulate, said her office serves people in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

"That's why we have to make these visits," Romero said, adding that she was unsure when a decision would be made concerning opening a consulate in Wichita.

For now, "we're very pleased to be here to help all people and support the Mexican community," she said.

Blanca Elizabeth Medina was among those who waited about two hours to see officials about documentation requests. She plans to use her ID to open a banking account.

Elias Hernandez also wanted to complete paperwork for an ID card.

"People have to go to Kansas City and if you don't have all the documents you need, then you have to go back to Wichita, then come back again," said Hernandez, in Spanish.

Ledezma said a consulate in Wichita could help alleviate that confusion.

Those who completed paperwork over the weekend will have to travel to the Kansas City office to pick up their official documents, consulate officials said.

Alejandro Molina, another volunteer coordinator, said he's proud to be able to provide real help to his community.

"We have the roots here," Molina said, but added that, in many instances, the community's needs are overlooked because of immigration status or language barriers.

Ledezma said the local response over the weekend provides more justification for her cause.

"I don't want to quit until a Mexican consulate is here," she said.


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Reach Christina M. Woods at 316-269-6791 or cwoods@wichitaeagle.com.