Resources from the Mexican Consulate: A Lifeline for Mexican Nationals in the U.S.
Be Prepared and Stay Protected — February 26, 2025
In last week’s Weekly Immigration Update, TRP Immigrant Justice’s Arnoldo Medina was joined by Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consul General of México in Chicago, to discuss the many essential resources available to Mexican nationals in the United States, regardless of their immigration status. The update highlighted the consulate’s efforts to assist, protect, and empower the Mexican community in times of uncertainty.
Consul Reyna Torres Mendivil shares how the consulate provides essential services such as issuing passports and "matriculas" (identification cards), and facilitates dual nationality registration. They also offer legal assistance, host informative workshops, and collaborate with organizations like ours to get immigrant communities the resources they need to survive and thrive.
Key Consular Services and Support:
1. Essential Documents and Identification Services
One of the consulate’s top priorities is ensuring that all Mexican nationals have valid identification. The consulate issues passports, consular IDs, birth certificates, and other essential documents to help individuals establish their identity, access services, and protect their rights.
2. Assistance for Detained Mexican Nationals
For those facing detention or deportation, the consulate provides legal assistance, visits to detention centers, and help in notifying family members. While the consulate cannot stop a deportation order, it ensures that detained individuals receive proper legal guidance and that their rights are understood and respected throughout the process. They also collaborate with consulates in other states and Mexican authorities to aid individuals upon their return to Mexico, offering identification and information on available resources.
3. Emergency Contact and Support Services
The consulate has launched a dedicated email and emergency phone line to provide quicker responses to urgent cases. Mexican nationals in need of urgent assistance are encouraged to reach out directly to the consulate for help with legal matters, documentation, and family reunification efforts.
📧 Email: conchicago@sre.gob.mx
📞 Emergency Phone: 1-888-755-5511
4. Protection for Families: Dual Citizenship and Emergency Planning
Many Mexican families in the U.S. are mixed-status households, meaning they have a combination of U.S. citizens, legal residents, DACA recipients, and undocumented individuals. The consulate assists parents in obtaining dual citizenship for their U.S.-born children, ensuring they have legal status in both countries in case of family separation.
Key Benefits of Dual Citizenship:
Facilitates school enrollment and access to public services in Mexico.
Provides a legal identity in both countries.
Allows children to inherit property and access additional benefits.
5. The ‘ConsulApp’: A Vital Tool for Immigrants
The Mexican government has introduced ConsulApp Contigo, a mobile app designed to assist Mexican nationals in emergencies.
Key Features:
Provides geolocation to find the nearest Mexican consulate.
Includes emergency contact information for legal and social services.
Allows users to set up emergency alerts to notify family members in case of detention.
6. UNAM, Acción Migrante: Digital Support Platform for Immigrants
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has created a platform called "Acción Migrante," offering online support, guidance, and assistance to Mexican immigrants and individuals of other nationalities living in the United States or already in Mexico, including mental health and information in indigenous languages.
7. Support for Mexican-Owned Businesses
Recognizing that many Mexican immigrants are small business owners, the consulate has partnered with local organizations to help entrepreneurs protect their assets. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (IHCC), in collaboration with the consulate, offers legal and financial resources to help immigrant business owners secure their livelihood.
Final Takeaway: You Are Not Alone
The Mexican government is committed to supporting and protecting its citizens abroad. Through legal assistance, emergency response, family services, and financial education, the consulate ensures that Mexican nationals have the resources they need to navigate challenges and protect their families.
For more information, visit your nearest Mexican consulate or check out these resources:
🔗 Mexican Consulate in Chicago: consulmex.sre.gob.mx/chicago
🔗 ConsulApp: Available for download on iOS and Android
🔗 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Resources: ihccbusiness.net/tools-to-protect-your-business
🔗 UNAM, Acción Migrante: accionmigrante.unam.mx
The Mexican Consulate and TRP Immigrant Justice are working together to ensure that our community stays informed, prepared, and protected. Remember—you have rights, and you are not alone.
Tune in this week – Friday, February 28, 2025 at 4 pm CST – for our last Weekly Immigration Update livestream on Facebook and Instagram to hear from TRP IJ experts on understanding the deportation process.
Explore our website for more resources, services, and information for immigrant families to help navigate uncertain times.
#ImmigrantRights #StayInformed #ProtectYourFamily #MexicanConsulate
