The Consulado de México en Omaha, which covers Nebraska and Iowa, is working with elected officials and residents to ensure the state knows the priorities of the government of Mexico.
The top one is ensuring the human rights of Mexicans abroad. This comes at a time of heightened immigration enforcement and follows a large Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Omaha last month.
According to Consulate documentation: “As part of the Mexican Government’s strategy to guarantee the protection and defense of the human rights of Mexicans abroad, particularly in the current context of increasing raids and protests in various cities across the United States, the Consulates have strengthened and increased their efforts in the areas of preventative protection and consular documentation.”
Consul Jorge Ernesto Espejel said the consulate has seen an increase in people needing immigration information.
“I think that at this time, it’s natural. They’re afraid,” he said. “They’re listening to so many bad news all around the United States. They’re afraid. They say, ‘What is happening?’”
Espejel recommended people stay calm and refer to the consulate for official information rather than relying on social media, especially since he said immigration policies and enforcement practices are changing every day. The Consulate receives information from Omaha law enforcement about ICE activity.
“Not everything that is published with social media is true,” he said. “They say, ‘I know that ICE is in that place,’ when that’s not true. Please, ask an official. We have information and we can help on that.”
The consulate is scheduling regular meetings with the mayor of Omaha as well as arranging visits throughout Nebraska and Iowa to meet with leaders and residents to share the priorities of the Mexican government and its people. Espejel said another goal of the regular meetings is to ensure Nebraskans know what the consulate does on a regular basis as well as implement the Mexican government’s strategy for all 53 consulates in the U.S.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. met with the consulate Tuesday to hear about the services the consulate is working on during this time. Espejel said the meeting was successful and Ewing told him he worked for the integrity of all Omaha residents.
“We had a productive meeting with the consul and I will continue to support his and other efforts to care for all residents of our city,” Ewing said.
The consulate serves all in the Mexican community, regardless of immigration status. It is increasing efforts to spread “know your rights” materials as well as social media activity promoting protection issues.
Espejel said all Mexican nationals should carry their documentation and avoid speaking with immigration enforcement without an attorney present.
For any Mexican nationals in Nebraska and Iowa in need of emergency assistance, they can call 402-312-5006, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The national call center is 520-623-7874.