Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Mexican Government Issues Arizona Travel Alert

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico

(Para español)

Following the adoption in the state of Arizona, United States, of the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” (SB1070), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico makes the following recommendations to Mexican nationals who have scheduled trips to that entity, or that reside or study in its territory:

1. In recent days there have been public demonstrations and protests in different cities against the decision of the Governor of the state to sign the law. The events have always been peaceful. It is important to act with prudence and respect local laws.

2. The law will take effect 90 days after the end of the current session of the State Legislature. Thus, at this moment the legal framework remains unchanged. However, as was clear during the legislative process, there is a negative political environment for migrant communities and for all Mexican visitors.

3. Under the new law, foreigners who do not carry the immigration documents issued to them when entering the United States may be arrested and sent to immigration detention centers. Carrying the available documentation, even before the law comes into force, will help avoid needless confrontations. As long no clear criteria are defined for when, where and who the authorities will inspect, it must be assumed that every Mexican citizen may be harassed and questioned without further cause at any time.

4. The new law will also make it illegal to hire or be hired from a motor vehicle stopped on a roadway or highway, regardless of the immigration status of those involved. While these rules are also not yet in force, extreme caution should be used.

5. Mexican nationals who are in the United States, regardless of their immigration status, have inalienable human rights and can resort to protection mechanisms under international law, U.S. federal law, and Arizona state law. The functions of the five Mexican consulates in Arizona (Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Nogales and Douglas) include providing legal advice to all Mexicans who consider they have been subjected to any abuse by the authorities. Nongovernmental organizations have also announced their intention to support those in need.

6. Mexicans in Arizona requiring consular assistance may use the toll-free consular protection phone number, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 1-877-6326-6785 (1-877-63CONSUL). The consular network in Arizona has a permanent telephone service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

7. Mexican Consulates in Arizona:

Consulate General of Mexico in Phoenix
1990 West Camelback Road Suite 110, Phoenix, Arizona, 85015
08:00 to 17:00 (602) 242-7398
conphoenix@sre.gob.mx.

Consulate of Mexico in Tucson
553 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85701
8:00 - 17:00 hrs (520) 882-5595
contucmx@sre.gob.mx.

Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales
135 W. Cardwell St., Nogales, Arizona, 85621
8:00 to 17:00 (520) 287-2521 ,287-3381
informacion@consulmexnogales.com.

Consulate of Mexico in Douglas
1201 "F" Avenue, Douglas, Arizona, 85607
08:00 to 17:00 (520) 364-3107
douglas@sre.gob.mx.

Consulate of Mexico in Yuma
298 S. Main Street, Yuma, Arizona, 85364
08:00-17:00 hrs, (928) 343-0066
conyuma@sre.gob.mx.

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Travel Alert, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE), April 27, 2010, Mexico City; translation SRE