Consulate of Mexico visits Ontario, seeks to support Mexican nationals
ONTARIO — The Consulate of Mexico in Boise visited Four Rivers Cultural Center, Saturday, to support Mexican nationals in obtaining documentation, counseling as well as additional information.
About 70 Mexican nationals attended the one-day event to obtain a passport, Consular ID, voting ID or birth certificates.
The mobile consulate offers Mexican nationals the chance to obtain documentation from their country within a couple of hours that otherwise may have taken weeks to receive, Claudia Espinosa, a representative of the protection affairs department with the Consulate, said.
Moreover, the mobile consulate allows those who may not have a driver’s license to be able to visit with the organization that is located in Boise.
The last time the Consulate of Mexico visited Ontario was nearly seven years ago, Espinosa noted.
“With new immigration policies we are trying to visit areas outside of Boise to provide our services to as many as we can,” Espinosa said.
It’s now more important than ever to do this, Celso Humberto Delgado Ramirez, Consul of Mexico in Boise, said.
Recently, the consulate visited Montana to offer the same outreach, Delgado Ramirez said.
During his speech to the attendees, the consul commended those who showed up for the services and echoed the organization’s ambition to continue offering services as well as consular protection to Mexicans.
Delgado Ramirez also advised attendees to create a plan of emergency for those who are living in the country without proper documentation in case they are faced with deportation, especially if they have young children.
Moreover, he spoke about what an undocumented person should do in case they are detained by Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Know your rights,” he said to the crowd. “Ask to speak with the Consulate of Mexico, to call a lawyer and to family, if possible.”
Throughout the day Mexican nationals were able to have their paperwork processed, have their biometrics taken as well as visit with local resources in the area.
One of the local organizations in attendance included the Oregon Human Development Corporation. Janeth Mendoza, a workforce consultant, said she exchanged information with several attendees about work trainings and emergency services. The Malheur County Health Department and Treasure Valley Community also hosted a booth at the event.
At the end of the event, consulate coordinators distributed documentation to Mexican nationals.
Celso Humberto Delgado Ramirez, Consul of Mexico in Boise, speaks to a crowd before attendees receive various documentation including passports, Consular ID and more, alongside Claudia Espinosa. About 70 Mexican nationals attended a mobile consulate provided by the Consulate of Mexico, in Boise, Saturday, in Ontario. The one day event sought to assist individuals with obtaining Mexican documentation.
