Minister of Foreign Relations Juan Ramón de la Fuente said that, following instructions from President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico will pursue all legal and diplomatic channels to defend the rights of Mexican citizens who face threats in the United States, with actions taken by the consular network to provide assistance and legal advice.
During the President’s Monday morning press conference, Minister De la Fuente reported on the actions taken since last Friday by the consular network in the United States, following instructions from Sheinbaum, to provide assistance and legal advice to the 42 persons who, according to current accounts, were detained by U.S. authorities in Los Angeles, California.
Four of those arrested were deported on Sunday: two who had removal orders, and two voluntarily. The Minister echoed President Claudia Sheinbaum’s message to remain calm and ensure that all demonstrations in Los Angeles are peaceful. “We will find the best solutions for all of them by pursuing legal channels,” he said.
De la Fuente emphasized that discussions will continue with ICE and CBP, and all agencies responsible for this and other issues.
“The instruction on this has been very clear: all the dialogue that is needed; cooperation, with pleasure; coordination, of course; but not subordination.”
He noted that progress has been made in Mexico’s discussion with these agencies based on those principles.
De la Fuente also released the telephone number of the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans (CIAM) –5206237874–, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing answers to questions and specific recommendations about the rights of the Mexican community in the United States, and anywhere in the world, regardless of the caller’s immigration status.
“Of course, if they face harassment, we advise them, and it is important that they know that they should remain calm. They have the right to remain silent; they should not sign anything they do not understand, and they have the right, under the Vienna Convention, to request the presence of consular officials. The consulate has the authority to provide assistance and to be present as soon as possible,” he said.
He also reported that, following instructions from President Sheinbaum, he was in contact with the U.S. ambassador in Mexico, and with Mexico’s ambassador in Washington, who assisted in enabling consular officials to enter the four detention centers where authorities had transferred the detained Mexican citizens this weekend.
The Minister said that following diplomatic efforts, consular personnel had entered the centers to interview the detained Mexicans, verify that they were in good health and provide them with the consular assistance and protection they require at this time.
Mexican Press Agency is part of ALMA, which is dedicated to news and information about Mexico and Mexicans in the United States and is a fiscally sponsored project of Social Focus, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Redwood City, California.
