The Garden City Telegram
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Mexican consulate helps with paperwork
Published 11/17/2008 in News
By MONICA SPRINGER
Maria and Guillermo Leyva, of Liberal, sat in the gymnasium at St. Mary Catholic Church on Saturday morning, waiting to speak with officials from the Mexican government.
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Brad Nading/Telegram — Jacob Prado of the Kansas City, Mo., office of the Mexican Consulate motions which direction he needs an individual to move for a passport photograph Saturday at St. Mary Catholic Church center. Prado and other members of the consulate from the Mexican government were in Garden City over the weekend helping people obtain the right documents to obtain Mexican passports.
As volunteers gave the crowd directions in Spanish, the couple sat in the stands with several documents, including birth certificates, proof of a home address, their marriage certificate and Guillermo Leyva's identification.
The Leyvas, along with more than 500 people from southwest Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, waited their turn to speak with a Mexican consulate to get passports and other official documents from the Mexican government. The consulate and Mexican lawyers met with area residents on Saturday and Sunday at the church.
There are several reasons people lined the church and filled out paperwork and took passport photos. Sister Roserita Weber said many of the people at the church have legal documents allowing them to live in the U.S., and they need Mexican passports to ensure smooth travel when visiting family in Mexico.
In the Leyvas' case, the couple was at the church over the weekend waiting to get Guillermo Leyva a Mexican passport. Maria Leyva said she is trying to get her husband to become a U.S. citizen. To get a green card, her husband has to have a passport from the country of his origin, Maria Leyva said.
Saturday was an important day to them, Maria Leyva said, because she wants to get her husband legalized and be able to be at home with their four kids: Monzeratte, 12, Galilea, 10, Orianna, 5, and Naziel, 2.
It's important to families in the area because the nearest Mexican consulate office is in Kansas City, Mo. Angelica Castillo, who works at Golden Plains Credit Union in Garden City, said many of the people and families at the church on Saturday and Sunday were of low income and don't have the transportation or the money to visit a consulate in Kansas City.
"It's huge. We're very glad and excited," said Castillo, who helped Mexican government officials in the basement of the church, processing passports and identifications.
Several people in the church and community helped bring the consulate to Garden City. They include Eduardo Ramos, Sister Maria Elena, Sister Weber, Sister Janice Thome, and Marina Hernandez, all of Garden City, and Beatrize Ledesma, of Wichita.
The consulates also provided identity and travel documents, passports and legal information along with other information to families.
Jacob Prado, consulate of Mexico based in Kansas City, said the Mexican government is planning a mobile program, where they can travel more frequently to parts of Kansas.
Prado said the consulate will be in southwest Kansas again next year, probably in Dodge City or Liberal.
"It's a program that needs to be implemented in Kansas, Missouri or western Oklahoma," Prado said.
Found 3 comment(s)!
I'd be "concerned" about getting spell-check...
These immigrants are probably trying their best to "assimulate" (assimilate) to the American culture. In my opinion, it is up to the community if they want to organize a service to help others. These people are receiving the same type of help as any other American family that sought assistance from their church or community would. I don't see how they are exploiting the system, or how by providing this type of service, "illegal immigrants" are obtaining easy access to "papers" (documentation). The article states that "many of the people at the church have legal documents allowing them to live in the U.S."....in other words- THEY ARE NOT ILLEGAL. We as Americans are not "accomidating" (accommodating) immigrants, it is members of the community that have joined together to help. Helping one another and solidarity are good examples of what it means to be an American. Perhaps they are starting to assimilate after all? “More low income families is not a good idea.” What do you propose we do? Should we just t get rid of all the low-income families?? (Hahaha- Sounds a little like Hitler to me). How about this? Let’s help each other become more educated- starting with you.
Posted by: C.H. on 11/18/2008
Not Racist, but CONCERNED!!
I personally think that we as Americans should not have to accomidate immigrants who choose to come to our country, I feel that they should have to assimulate to our customs or our way of life. Having the Mexican Government come to them is another way to allow them to exploit the system. "How did they afford to get to America, and can't afford to get to Kansas City, Mo.?" "What is wrong with this picture?" How about the Americans who are living in America that are doing all they can to make ends meet. This is taking away from us! More low income families is not a good idea. Economy is in recession and allowing illegal immigrants easy access to papers is not a good idea. Immigrants should have to have there proper paperwork before coming to America.
Posted by: Valarie on 11/18/2008
Mexican consulate helps with paperwork
A man spoke with my family and I yesterday and mentioned that i should look at the web site to view the ads/pictures. Is there another web site that i should be looking at? Thanks for your time, Teresa Gonzalez
Posted by: Teresa Gonzalez on 11/17/2008
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