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By: Mario Conde
The Mexican Consulate in Calexico announced the opening of a legal help center to help Mexican immigrants in Imperial Valley concerned about the federal government’s promised crackdown on those in the country illegally.
The Consulate in Calexico, along with other Mexican consulates across the country, will provide Mexican nationals legal advice on basic immigration matters, Consul General Carlos Flores Vizcarra stated in a press conference. The centers will provide immigration attorneys and law clinics to give legal advice and information to those who fear deportation by Immigration and Customs.
Consul Flores Vizcarra said that the Mexican government is giving financial resources to take care of these booths so they can have someone there every day to help people who have question or need legal advice.
“We want to give a message all those Mexicans that live in the United States, regardless of their legal status, we want them to know that they are all important to the government of Mexico.” Vizcarra said. “Our goal is to provide legal help with the support of non-governmental organizations, law firms, law clinics, law schools and groups that defend immigrants.”
Consul Vizcarra said that there are also faith-based organizations like the Calexico Methodist Church who is also supporting the consulate giving information about immigration rights.
Vizcarra added that there will be workshops titled “Know Your Rights” that will have the purpose of letting people know how to act and learn about their constitutional rights in the event of an immigration arrest. There would also be immigration screening workshops and promotion on how to get dual citizenship.
“We will put this mechanism in place to quickly respond when they need our help and we’ll also be going more often to the immigration detention facilities to pay more attention on abuse by authorities when an arrest is made and provide those in need with legal services. We will also pay more attention in cases where employer abuse is happening against immigrants.” Consul Vizcarra said.
