First birth certificate issued at the Mexican Consulate in New York

Press Release No. 086—Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso presents the first birth certificate issued by a consulate to a Mexican citizen who emigrated as a child with her family from Cuautla, Morelos to the U.S. and whose birth was not registered in Mexico

·         Legal Defense Centers open for immigrants 

Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray Caso presented the first birth certificate issued by a consulate to a Mexican citizen who emigrating as a child with her family from Cuautla, Morelos to the U.S. and whose birth was not registered in Mexico.

As a result of the reforms made to the Mexican Foreign Service Law and its regulations, as of February 17, ambassadors and consuls around the world may issue birth certificates to individuals whose births were not registered in Mexico.

This guarantees our fellow citizens their right to identity, regardless of where they are located, and it translates into important benefits, especially for those in a vulnerable situation. With a birth certificate, Mexicans can apply for essential documents such as passports and consular IDs, enjoy all the rights and obligations conferred by Mexican nationality, and continue to participate in Mexico’s civic life.

In addition, legal defense centers were officially opened in Mexico’s 50 consulates in the U.S. The centers are specifically designed to provide consular assistance and legal representation to all Mexican immigrants who require assistance in the U.S. This important act of protection comes in response to the Mexican president’s instruction to strengthen support for our nationals in that country.

Through the legal defense centers and with the support of a strong network of local partners, including lawyers and organizations specialized in migrants’ rights, the Foreign Ministry will provide information, guidance and direct legal advice to Mexicans in need of consular assistance.

These two new programs expand our consular protection and reaffirm this administration’s commitment to ensuring the rights of all Mexicans.