Thread: UT: Mexican Consulate to visit St. George Saturday

Mexican Consulate to visit St. George Saturday

BY ALYSON VAN DEUSEN
alyson@thespectrum.com

ST. GEORGE - The Mexican Consulate will return to St. George to serve Mexican nationals in Southern Utah from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the St. George Catholic Church.

Consul staff and volunteers will be able to issue passports and Matricula Consular Cards, or federal identification, during their time in the state's southern region, said Manny Aguilar, a Latino activist and volunteer for Saturday.

Tony Yapias, spokesman for the Mexican Consulate, said they hope to help approximately 400 people on Saturday.

"The Consulate is bringing more people and the goal is to assist 400 Mexican nationals," Yapias wrote in an e-mail to The Spectrum. He said the Consul has pledged to keep coming back to St. George.

The Consul also helped approximately 250 people during a visit to St. George in June.

As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 200 people had called to be seen on Saturday.

"There's always going to be people left out," Aguilar said. "But at least 400 more people will be helped."

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.

Aguilar echoed Yapias' sentiments and said everyone has to have an identity.

Mexican nationals who would like to meet with the Consulate should call to reserve placement, Aguilar said.

Aguilar said it is unlikely anyone who did not call and reserve placement will be helped on Saturday.

He said the mobile Consul will bring "high-tech" gear to print materials on-site.

Attendees will probably have to come back later in the day to pick up the documents.

People who need passports should bring an original birth certificate and a copy for the Consul to keep and $102 in cash.

For federal identification, people should bring a Mexican driver's license or a federal or state voting card, in addition to cash for payment, Aguilar said.

Federal identifications are approximately $37, 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 its designated region every weekend to provide mobile services.
http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... /808150333

Aguilar echoed Yapias' sentiments and said everyone has to have an identity.




Regardless of WHOM that identity REALLY belongs to

Originally Posted by azwreath

Aguilar echoed Yapias' sentiments and said everyone has to have an identity.




Regardless of WHOM that identity REALLY belongs to

Thats right ."We don't need no stinking laws".

Local Mexicans Meet with Consulate
By Jessica Gail

Story Created: Aug 17, 2008

Story Updated: Aug 17, 2008

Hundreds of Mexicans living in the area were given the chance to get some very important documentation Saturday. For some, its an opportunity they've waited years for.
Two dozen consulate workers and volunteers helped over 400 people Saturday obtain passports, Mexican ID cards, and other important paperwork typically necessary for working in Southern Utah, and allowing travel back into Mexico.
The Consulate was in the region two months ago, but had to turn away several hundred people due to the high demand.
Members of the Consulate say they are planning more visits to the area soon


http://www.kcsg.com/news/regional/27061774.html