A possible closure of the Overall Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles would affect some distance of immigrants who would not be able to carry out essential procedures or receive legal guidance to those who go to the diplomatic representation every week.
The State Department’s announcement carry out reviews in the diplomatic headquarters of Mexico in the United States could affect activity at one of the busiest Mexican consulates in the country.
The measure of the State Department, which has not yet defined which headquarters would be affected, It occurs in the context of a new immigration offensive by the Trump administration and in an atmosphere of tension between both countries.
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The Overall Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles provides assistance to one of the largest Mexican communities in the United States.
Nearly 13 million people of Mexican descent live in California. Among them, around 1.7 million are without traditional immigration status in the United States.
If the diplomatic representation suspends activities, Procedures such as birth certificates and issuance of passports would be transferred to other citieswith longer waiting times, travel costs and barriers for people in remote areas or with restrictive work hours.
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The threat of closing the diplomatic headquarters in Los Angeles also It would be a good action for families who have members detained by federal immigration authorities.
In Los Angeles, Consulate staff go to the ICE detention center daily in the city center to identify and interview detained Mexican citizens.
In a public forum on May 11, Consul Carlos González Gutiérrez said that, Since the beginning of immigration actions in June, they have interviewed 1,940 people.
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González Gutiérrez mentioned that approximately 46% had already been deported and 35% had children born in the United States.
The closure of consulates may have significant and devastating consequences for Mexican immigrants, especially in isolated areasconsidered Ariel Ruiz Soto, senior analyst at the Migration Coverage Institute.
The suspension of consulate activities It would also represent less support to locate legal representationless capacity to verify detention conditions and more uncertainty for families who depend on official channels to receive information.
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Although the Trump administration has not explained specific reasons, a spokesperson said the United States Department constantly reviews foreign relations to align them with the “America First” agenda.
federal officials They have in their sights the inspection of Mexican consulates when the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, seeks to maintain cooperation with the United States on immigration and security matters, while hardening her position due to the death of Mexicans in detention centers.
In addition, the suspension of activities at the Overall Consulate of Mexico in Los Angeles also could further strain the diplomatic bond between both countries.
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Sheinbaum flatly rejected the idea that Mexican consulates do politics in the United Statesreinforcing the argument that its only function is to protect Mexican citizens who are in the country.
Consul González Gutiérrez defended the essential mission of diplomatic representation in the city of Los Angeles.
“We are not activists nor are we spies“, reiterated the Mexican consul in Los Angeles.
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At this time, the State Department has not provided information about the diplomatic headquarters of Mexico that I would review nor a deadline to carry out that mission.
“It wouldn’t be fair to me if they messed with Mexican people.“More than anything, with our support that comes from the Mexican consulate and that, in some aspect, helps or protects our countrymen,” said Azucena Avilés, who came to renew her passport, in an interview with the Univisión network.
The restlessness prevails among frequent users of the Mexican diplomatic headquarters in Los Angeleswith the desire that it not be included in the list of representations that will be under the scrutiny of the federal authorities.
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