WILLMAR -- The Mexican Consulate has come to Willmar and is available to help any Mexican national today from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Willmar Education and Arts Center, 611 Fifth Street.
Nathan Wolf, the consul de Mexico, and his staff from the St. Paul consulate office will be available to issue official Mexican documents, including the "matricula consular" identification cards, Mexican passports and also to assist with legal and civil advice.
"We have a mobile consulate," Wolf said. "We bring all the services of the St. Paul office to the people."
Documents from the consulate are available on the same day they are processed. The consular ID cards are a secure document and background information is verified via internet connections to the consulate database. At a reception Friday evening, Wolf was welcomed by Willmar city officials and area legislators. "I'm glad to be meeting the Mexican community here and the Willmar-brother community," Wolf said. "It is through dialogue that we can grow together as a community."
The creation of the St. Paul consulate was announced by Mexican President Vincente Fox when he visited Minnesota in 2004. The consulate opened in June 2005 and serves Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and northern Wisconsin.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his comments, Willmar Mayor Les Heitke noted that the city's population is 22 percent Latino.
"My hope is that the city of Willmar will maintain a closer relationship with the Mexican consulate," he said. "We need to understand this portion of our community."
Wolf noted that the intention is that the consulate would come to visit Willmar at least once a year and more frequently if needed.
The consular ID cards, for Mexican nationals, are not without controversy. Three states, Illinois, New Mexico and Nevada, recognize them as valid identification for issuing a state driver's license. During the last session the Minnesota House of Representatives passed an immigration package that included recognizing the Mexican ID cards for driver's licenses. However, Gov. Tim Pawlenty did not sign that bill into law. The issue will come up again during the next legislative session, according to Sen. Dean Johnson, who was one of the dignitaries who welcomed Wolf and the consulate to Willmar.
Matricula Consular ID Requirements:
1. Applicant's birth certificate, passport or certificate of Mexican Nationality.
2. Official identification such as a military card, valid passport, Mexican Electoral ID, state ID or Minnesota driver's license, U.S. residency card, certificate of education, postal photo ID, valid Mexican drivers license or Social Security photo ID from the Mexican Institute of Social Security, Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers or from the Mexican Health Center.
3. Applicant's proof of current home and mailing address with one of the following documents: electricity, water, telephone, gas, auto insurance, rent and credit card bill, car title, personal insurance bill or medical statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
4. If a previously acquired Consular ID is presented for renovation, please bring the original document and a copy of both sides of it.
The total cost for the consular ID is $27. All applicants must fulfill all of the requirements.
