Mexico Warns Travelers About Arizona

The Mexican Foreign Ministry has issued an alert to all citizens living in or traveling to Arizona after the state passed an immigration law that essentially requires brown people to carry papers. “It must be assumed that every Mexican citizen may be harassed and questioned,” the alert warns.

Sources: Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Mexico

Full text of the travel alert from Mexico’s Foreign Ministry:

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 [email protected].

Consulate of Mexico in Tucson 553 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85701 8:00 – 17:00 hrs (520) 882-5595 [email protected].

Consulate General of Mexico in Nogales 135 W. Cardwell St., Nogales, Arizona, 85621 8:00 to 17:00 (520) 287-2521 ,287-3381 [email protected].

Consulate of Mexico in Douglas 1201 “F” Avenue, Douglas, Arizona, 85607 08:00 to 17:00 (520) 364-3107 [email protected].

Consulate of Mexico in Yuma 298 S. Main Street, Yuma, Arizona, 85364 08:00-17:00 hrs, (928) 343-0066 [email protected].