At a time when hundreds of immigrants are returning to their countries, whether voluntarily or not, the consuls of the four Central American countries headquartered in North Carolina spoke about the programs their governments have in place to receive them and help them reintegrate.
The consuls of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador They provided the information during the meeting of agricultural workers held in Charlotte. The future is ours, organization that protects their rights.
Mexico: Mexico Embraces You Program
Consul general, Donají Alba Arroyo , from the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh .
Consul Arroyo explained, regarding the Mexico Embraces You Program, Recently created to address the current global emergency of return of Mexican countrymen to the national territory.
“It’s an intersectional program to provide assistance to our fellow citizens in different ways, because it not only involves many Mexican government agencies, but also local governments. All the states of the Republic,” the consul explained.
According to Consul Arroyo, the first step when a person is due to return to Mexico, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, is to ensure they have identification, as many deportees do not have it. This is done through the National Institute of Migration.
“Once they have their document, the countryman can begin to process all the other rights to which he is entitled. The first, obviously, is shelter and food,” Arroyo indicated.
The consul said that there are shelters at the borders, in Mexico City, and throughout the country where new arrivals can sleep and be in a safe place.
Upon arrival, the Mexican can also access a job bank through the Business Coordinating Council which helps them find a range of job opportunities where they decide to settle.
“There is also coordination with the Welfare Secretariat "This guarantees that they can access social programs like anyone else living in Mexico," the consul said.
Finally, in addition to guaranteeing them an identity document, food, and lodging, the Mexico Embraces You Program also registers them in the Wellbeing Program , where they will have a health check-up.
Consul Arroyo said that, in addition, returning Mexicans are given a small sum of money. 2,000 pesos through a card called Well-being of my fellow countryman .
“This card can be used for whatever they need; it’s not much, but it’s given to everyone, and they can use it to get to wherever they want to be. This way, their reintegration into the country, their return, their welcome back, is guaranteed—that’s why it’s called Mexico Embraces You,” the official noted.
Guatemala: Return to Home Plan
Consul Randy Castillo , Consulate General of Guatemala in Raleigh.
Consul Castillo explained that his country has the Return to Home Plan , which was conceived, to do it globally, for a sustainable reintegration of migrants so that they have opportunities upon arrival in Guatemala.
“It really is a plan "This includes civil society, the government itself, and also businesspeople who want to contribute to this new vision for the return of our migrants," he added.
Consul Castillo explained that the idea behind the plan is for migrants to have immediate access to all assistance, including medical and food assistance , and then move them up to a second level to be able to have other options, which, according to the consul, are 22 companies, as well as state institutions.
“The idea is to have a complete infrastructure in place so that we can monitor them from the moment they arrive,” he commented. “What we have now is a new type of migration. These are people who have lived in this country for many years and are now forced to return, or have to do so by their own choice,” he added.
The consul said that what his government wants is for his compatriots to have viable options when they arrive; for example, if they have certifications, they can more easily find a job at a company.
The official shared a video about him Return to Home Plan , where it is indicated that Guatemalans returning to the country will be able to count on medical and psychological care, document management, food and basic necessities, access to national and international calls, transportation and temporary shelter if necessary.
“We also offer information so you can apply for different social programs such as employment, entrepreneurship, education, health, and housing. Remember that with the Return Home Plan, we are close to you, ensuring a dignified return and starting a new life together,” the video concludes.
Honduras: Brother Sister Come Home Program
Consul Enrique Flores , from the Consulate General of Honduras in Charlotte .
Consul Flores explained that there is a Brother Sister Come Home Program which consists of several components, with the aim of providing a dignified return to people returned to Honduras.
It is worth remembering that in September the Trump administration announced the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for at least 51,000 Hondurans under this program who would be exposed to deportation.
“We are trying to make the procedures easier for them here at the consular level. Many of them have children born in the United States who were never registered as Honduran citizens, and our legislation takes a while to process that type of paternity recognition so they can register their children.” dual nationality of their minors"It takes around 6 to 8 months," Consul Flores noted.
He also said that his government managed to shorten those times, and now this process is carried out immediately, with much simpler procedures.
“They are asked for a Birth Certificate “Apostilled here in the United States,” he indicated. “They are also trying to help and support them at the centers of ICE detention, “There are many more visits being made, much more frequently,” he added.
The consul commented that during these visits, they are bringing along staff who will prepare legal documents that they will need, whether to withdraw their savings that they have here in the United States, for the sale of some belongings they may have, as well as to be able to carry out procedures in our country.
“Once they arrive in the national territory, the government receives them immediately, and gives them a $1,000 bonus "So that they have some capital to start a small business," the consul said.
According to Consul Flores, they is eliminating tariffs so that Hondurans can bring personal items, such as tools, if they were engaged in some kind of trade before being deported.
“Furthermore, the National Institute of Vocational Training They are trying to train them so they can start their own businesses. They are being given access to credit of the National Production Bank "So that they can access loans and start their businesses with quite favorable rates," noted Consul Flores.
To learn more about the plan Visit the website of the Secretariat of Strategic Planning
El Salvador: Welcome Home Program
Consul Selim Rhodes , from the Consulate General of El Salvador in Charlotte.
Consul Rodas said that the government of El Salvador has the Welcome Home Program which has been operating for several years to serve all people who are returned from the United States.
“There is a care center to returned persons "This is where families and people who are commonly deported from the United States usually arrive, and there they are given a welcome package, transportation to their places of origin, and all the necessary information so that they can reintegrate," the consul explained.
Consul Selim said that all this assistance is provided to Salvadorans who want to stay in the country, because the reality is that out of 10 people who are returned, seven want to go back to the United States.
Salvadorans also have the opportunity to access a skills accreditation program for men and women.
On the other hand, the consul pointed out that his country and other Central American countries are now seeing the arrival of compatriots who are returning after living 30 or 40 years in the United States.
“Some return with a pension check that will arrive from the United States, others with money to invest, and this is quite a large population, and our country has prepared beforehand for the return of our diaspora, now with a household goods program, which includes being able to take two vehicles without payment of tariffs "And they can bring in up to $70,000 without any taxes," the consul said.
The consul also highlighted his government's initiative to promote investment from abroad for all Salvadorans who want to invest in the country, which includes access to bank loans and information on different types of investments, among other things.
“This is very important for us because thanks to the remittances that our compatriots constantly send from this country, which average $6,500 billion a year, our economy is greatly sustained,” he emphasized.
Information from the consulates
Consulate of Mexico in Raleigh
Address: 431 Raleigh View Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27610.
Quotes: You can call to schedule an appointment at: 424-309-0009 or at the dating portal
Emergencies: In case of emergency you can call: 919-796-3637
Facebook You will find first-hand information and service updates.
Guatemalan Consulate in Raleigh
Address: 6050 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC
Quotes: The consulate offers walk-ins and appointments. To schedule an appointment, please call: 984-200-1601
WhatsApp emergency messages: +1984-355-1150
Email: consraleigh@minex.gob.gt
Facebook You will find up-to-date information on consular services
Honduran Consulate in Charlotte
Address: 5725 N Sharon Amity Suite A, Charlotte, NC
Phone: 704-345-5085
Email: Consuladodehondurascharlotte05@gmail.com
Quotes: must go to consular appointment portal
Facebook You will find up-to-date information on services and appointments.
Consulate of El Salvador in Charlotte
Address: Westover Shopping Center: 1520 West Blvd Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28208
Phone: 1-888-301-1130
E-mail: consulatecharlotte@rree.gob.sv
Quotes: go to the consular appointment portal
FACEBOOK This is a general page for all consulates in the United States.
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