Mexican consulate gives helping hand
Published 7:30 pm Saturday, August 20, 2011
Gabino Alvarez, right, and Alan Torres of the Mexican consulate give out applications for matricula consular (Mexican ID) and passports Saturday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin’s Mexican community got a one-stop shopping place for major issues Saturday.
The Mexican consulate dropped by Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Austin to help residents and others in need. At least 100 people showed up by 9 a.m. to obtain their matricula consular (their Mexican ID) or get their Mexican passports, which is vital if residents want to visit relatives in Mexico as Mexican nationals.
Francisco Gonzalez of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry talks about worker's rights at Queen of Angel's Catholic Church Saturday. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“It’s really good for the Mexican Government to support people here,” said Elda Contreras, administrative officer and part of the diplomatic staff at the Mexican consulate in St. Paul. Ana Luisa Fajer, the Mexican consul of St. Paul, was scheduled to be in Austin as well to help, but she was unable to attend due to a family emergency. The consulate usually tries to come to Austin or nearby about once a year, since there is a large population of Mexican descent living here.
Lilia Garcia went to Queen of Angels Saturday to get her matricula consular. She had lost hers and couldn’t return as a Mexican citizen without it.
“I have no (Mexican) ID that says who I am,” she said.
Diana Ramirez can sympathize. She graduated from Austin High School in May and will attend Riverland Community College this fall, where she eventually hopes to go into cosmetology and one day own her own restaurant. She wanted to obtain her matricula consular so she could go visit relatives.
People from as far as Iowa and Wisconsin came to get their documents in order, as well as take advantage of all the organizations present to give advice and offer information.
“We do a lot of college access work with students,” said Uriel Rosales, a representative from Navigate, a college access program.
Oswaldo Cabrera of the Mexican consulate helps members of the Mexican community in Austin through the process of getting their personal documents Saturday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
In addition, representatives from the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota and the state’s Department Human Rights Department were present to discuss labor rights with people, as the Mexican consulate is wrapping up its Labor Rights Week.
“This is a good, good opportunity,” said Mario Hernandez, legislative liaison for the DHR.
Though the consulate was here for a short time, local leaders and organizers say their continued presence is a blessing for residents here.
“It’s neat for all these people to be gathered here,” said Dora Martinez, advocacy program coordinator at the Welcome Center.
