ST. GEORGE - Hundreds of Mexican nationals were turned away with police assistance Saturday during the Mexican Consulate's first visit to Southern Utah in three years.
The consulate was stationed at the St. George Catholic Church, where officials issued identification cards and passports to Mexicans, as well as helped with other issues.
Spending one day in Southern Utah did not provide enough time to help everyone who was in need of the consulate's services.
"It's not fair," said Paulo Avendano, who was turned away Saturday. "I don't understand why they can't spend two days here."
Avendano has a work visa and lives in St. George, he said.
Police were called by consulate officials to help disperse people who were not on the appointment list from the crowded church facility. Officials estimated that they assisted about 250 families during their visit to St. George.
"Basically, we have taken a list to help 250 people today," said Tony Yapias, director of Projecto Latino de Utah. "We will help as many as we can physically handle today."
Usually, the consulate will see about 150 people in one visit, he said.
Yapias said the Mexican Consulate can help parents register their children for dual citizenship, assist with issues involving power of attorney, and issue identification cards and passports.
Passports help identify who a person is, which can be crucial for Mexicans living in the United States, Yapias said.
"With immigration enforcement, you want legitimate documentation of who you are that no one can argue with," he said.
The consulate office, which is based in Salt Lake City, serves Mexicans living in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, Yapias said. The consulate travels to different areas within their designated region every weekend to provide mobile counsels.
Poster Comment:
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