Earlier this week, the foreign ministers of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador gathered to coordinate actions on behalf of their citizens in the United States.
During a meeting hosted by Guatemala, the four countries agreed that their priority is to send a message of confidence and calm to their citizens in the United States. (It should be understood that the message is intended for deportable aliens.) The foreign ministers noted, given that the United States' immigration policy has not changed, the work of their respective embassies should be reinforced so they can "lobby with future authorities" in the United States.
Guatemala's Foreign Minister added that he has asked Mexico to work together, through their respective consulates in the United States, to share information and identify the various "civil human rights organizations in the United States, enabling them to better protect the rights of migrants and coordinate with local authorities." Additionally, the four countries agreed to initiate a program, using consular documentation, to find out how many adults and unaccompanied alien children (UAC's) reside in the United States.
They also called for their citizens to "continue observing and respecting the laws of that country, to stay calm and not make hasty decisions that endanger their personal safety, carry the necessary documents and approach their consulates for services and consular protection."
The four officials are scheduled to travel to McAllen, Texas, to inaugurate a joint effort between consulates, called Tricamex. This is an effort that has been in existence, but this trip will serve to reinforce the collaboration. The visit to McAllen was also proposed as a way to learn about "migrants' situation".
The four ministers agreed to continue meeting periodically; their second meeting is scheduled for January 2017.
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Topics: Influx of Unaccompanied Minors, Mexico