Voice of the FieldsCalifornia

F A R M L A B O R I N F O R M A T I O N B U L L E T I N

November 17, 2011 FREE Volume 21, Number 9

Mexican Consulate ServicesThe Mexican Consulate is an

official branch of the Mexican government that operates

offices in the United States, and other countries. Its duties are focused around helping Mexican citizens living or traveling in the United States who need assistance from their home government when dealing with U.S. laws and legal system issues.

The consulate issues Mexican identification cards, which are used by people who are not eligible for a state identification card. Among other services, the consulate issues Mexican passports, officially stamps and notarizes legal documents to be used in Mexico and distributes information about the protection of Mexicans in the United States.

Some offices also offer information on where uninsured individuals can find low- or no-cost health services in their area. Some consulates have partnered with area health clinics to provide health services within the consulate building.

Please see the list of consulate office locations in your area for contact information located on the following page.

Consulate Services at a glanceProtective services

Through their local embassies and consulate posts within each state, the Foreign Affairs Ministry provides protection services to aid Mexican nationals abroad. Some of the services offered are: n Provide for the legal representation

of Mexican nationals that face judicial processes.

n Corroborate the well being of Mexican nationals that are in custody of local authorities.

n Offer counsel about the rights and obligations under labor, civil, immigration and criminal law.

n Outreach to the community.n Assist victims of crime.n Locate missing relatives in Mexico.n Obtain vital records in Mexico.n Repatriate minors and vulnerable

persons.n Provide for the appropriate legal

representation and interpretation for Mexican nationals under custody.

n Assist in the family reunification of minors.

n Assist victims of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Hate crimes.

n Assist in the prosecution of human traffickers and seek suitable remedies for the victims.

Identification servicesYour local consulate location can

help you obtain Consular I.D., a Passport, as well as a Visa in order to stay in or travel to another country. In order to obtain one of these types of identification, all you need to do is contact the location nearest you and make an appointment. Most of these require some sort of application that will be filled out on-site. Source: Mexican Consulate in Sacramento Website at: consul-mex.sre.gob.mx/sacramento/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20

Institute of Mexicans Abroad

In 1990 the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (or Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior-IME)

was formed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote the involvement of Mexican communities abroad and provide information and services in the areas of health, education, culture and community organization. According to the IME website, its goal is to promote strategies, integrate programs, collect proposals and recommendations from

the communities, their members, their organizations and advisory bodies designed to raise the living standards of Mexican communities abroad as well as executing the directives emanating from the National Council for Mexican Communities Abroad.

For more information on IME or programs within your community, please visit www.ime.gob.mx/ or contact your local Mexican Consulate (contact information located below.).

The Institute for Mexicans Abroad has the following mission:n To promote the appreciation of

migration and dignified treatment of Mexicans living abroad;

n Encourage the creation of meeting spaces and promote communication with and among Mexican communities living abroad;

n Serve as a liaison, in coordination with the representatives of Mexico, with Mexican communities living abroad;

n Establish appropriate coordination with governments, institutions and organizations in states and municipalities in terms of prevention, care and support for Mexican communities abroad and other related topics and complementary;

n Design and promote mechanisms for the implementation of programs and projects specific to the work of the Institute for Mexicans Abroad;

n Organize and participate in seminars, conferences, symposia, conferences and congresses public, private and academic on migration and care for Mexicans abroad;

n Collect and systematize the proposals and recommendations aimed at improving the social development of Mexican communities abroad, to develop advisory bodies consisting of representatives of these communities.

Source: Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior website at www.ime.gob.mx/

Calexico408 Herber Ave. Calexico, CA 92231Tel: (760) 357-3863E-mail:informacion@concalexico.org

Fresno 7435 North Ingram Fresno, CA 93311Tel: (559) 233-3065 E-mail: consulado@consulmexfresno.net

Los Angeles 2401 W. Sixth St. Los Angeles, CA 90057 Tel: (213) 351-6800 E-mail: consulado@lapublico@sre.gob.mx

Oxnard 3151 West Fifth Street Oxnard, CA 93030 Tel: (805) 984-8738 E-mail: consul@consulmexoxnard.com

Sacramento 2093 Arena Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95835Tel: (916) 441-3287 E-mail: sacramento@sre.gob.mx

San Bernardino 293 North “D” Street. San Bernardino, CA 92401 Tel: (909) 889-9836 E-mail: conmexbe@hotmail.com

San Diego 1549 India St. San Diego, CA 92101 Tel: (619) 231-8414 E-mail: info@consulmexsd.org

San Francisco 532 Folsom St. San Francisco, CA 94105 Tel: (415) 354-1700 E-mail: confrancisco@sre.gob.mx

San Jose 2125 Zanker Rd San Jose, CA 95131 Tel: (408) 294-3414 E-mail: consjose@sre.gob.mx

Santa Ana 828 N. Broadway St. Santa Ana, CA 92701-3424 Tel: (714) 835-3069 E-mail: consana@sre.gob.mx

Mexican Consulates located in California

Traveling to Mexico for the Holidays– What you need to know

Whenever you are traveling back to Mexico, the Mexican Government

encourages you to check in with a local embassy or consulate office before traveling to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. Due to the recent rise in crime in some areas of Mexico, many governments have issued travel warnings for all citizens traveling to U.S.-Mexican border cities to ensure everyone’s safety.

If you are drivingIf you plan on driving to Mexico, you

will be able to temporarily import your car for a maximum of 180 days. You will be able to obtain and fill out the

appropriate paperwork at a Customs Vehicle Control Module located at the U.S.-Mexican Border. You will need the following items:n An immigration form.n A vehicle registration document that

certifies the legal ownership of the vehicle, original or photocopy.

n A valid drivers license, original or photocopy.

n A credit card issued outside of Mexico (American Express, Master Card, Visa, or Diner’s).

n A declaration form to take the vehicle out of Mexico that will be provided by the customs officer at the border. You will need to return this form at the Mexican Customs Office upon return to the U.S.

Please be advised that the credit card used and all documents provided must be in the name of the vehicle owner. The vehicle owner must also be present and in the vehicle when it enters Mexico. You must have insurance that covers your vehicle while in Mexico, as it is mandatory to have insurance in the country.

You are also able to obtain a temporary vehicle permit at a Mexican consulate location in the following California cities: Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and San Bernardino. The permits can be purchased at consulate offices up to six months prior to your travel to Mexico and you may choose the date that your permit will go into effect.

Bienvenido Paisano Program

In 1989, Mexico’s Federal Government implemented actions to improve the security and

services at Mexican borders, seaports and airports. While the initial incentive was to improve travel into the country, it has also helped streamline and simplify the processes associated with entering the country.

According to the Programa Paisano website, the main objectives of the program are to ensure dignified and lawful travel for Mexicans entering, transiting or leaving Mexico, through the following actions:

n Inform and disseminate information about their fulfillment of obligations and their rights.

n Protect their physical integrity and property.

n Sensitize and train public servants and civil society.

n Attend and monitor complaints. Paisano is a permanent program,

operates under the guise of Interministerial Committee, has a Technical Committee, a National Coordination, three representatives in the U.S. and 31 states at the national level.

While the initial program, implemented in 1989, only ran during the holiday season, the current program runs year-round and involves many of the country’s state departments and agencies. Paisano has become a substantial part of Mexican state policy for the protection of nationals entering and leaving the country. The Paisano Program represents the efforts of the Mexican Government to ensure compliance with the rights of Mexicans living abroad, who pass through Mexico.

You can find out more about the program by visiting the Programa Paisano website at www.paisano.gob.mx or by contacting your local Consulate office for information.

Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) & Local Food Bank Information

The holiday season can be tough on many families who are already struggling to survive

these difficult economic times. Often times these families are forced to miss one or more meals throughout the day due to the high cost of food. There are programs out there that can help feed families in need.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), provides low-income individuals and households with surplus commodities donated by the United

States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition, the program administers privately donated products. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) works with food banks in each county to serve as part of the distribution network.

Food Banks throughout the state provide individuals and community-based organizations with food in a coordinated effort, running with the assistance of volunteers and community involvement. While some counties

have more than one Food Bank to serve residents, there are some counties that have no Food Banks and rely on those in neighboring counties. Most of the time, as long as someone is willing to wait in line for food at a food bank, then they are able to receive food at no cost.

There are, however, some programs administered by food banks that require qualification. Generally, to qualify recipients must meet the eligibility criteria in accordance with USDA regulations, including that they reside in the geographical area being served. The recipient may be asked to present evidence that they live in the service area, such as a Driver’s License. However, if documented proof of residency cannot be supplied, food may not be denied to the recipient if they agree to sign an EFAP Certification of Eligibility form (EFA-7).

To find a food bank in your area, visit http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/efap/PG1910.htm

Voice of the FieldsCalifornia Circulation: 40,000 copies

www.LaCooperativa.orgPublished monthly by:

La Cooperativa Campesina de California 7801 Folsom Blvd, Suite 365,

Sacramento, CA 95826 Phone 916.388.2220 • Fax 916.388.2425

Editor: Marco LizarragaProduced with the support of the

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List of Helpful Phone Numbers