The government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), expressed its concern this Wednesday about the recent approval of the anti-immigrant legislative initiative Senate File 2340 in the state of Iowa, which will come into effect next July 1st.
This legislation will classify undocumented re-entry or remaining in the state after the denial of immigration relief as a serious crime.
“The law seeks to criminalize the migrant population, as it will allow local and state law enforcement officers to arrest immigrants for undocumented stay, and enables state judges to order deportations,” the Ministry stated in a press release.
Through the Mexican Consulate in Omaha, prevention and information measures have been implemented so that nationals in the state are aware of their rights, and what consular assistance and legal advice tools they can resort to.
The SRE indicated that meetings with allied authorities and civil rights groups will be intensified to strengthen the presence in the state, provide free legal advice through the lawyers of the External Legal Advice Program (PALE), and that free migratory diagnostic sessions will be carried out with the support of local allies.
“Likewise, our community can communicate 24 hours a day with the Information and Assistance Center for Mexican Persons (CIAM), where they will find official, safe, and reliable information about this legislation and the consular services and actions we make available to them.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its consular representation in Iowa, will be attentive to respond to any violation and, as it has done with similar initiatives, will explore legal resources that contribute to the defense of the rights of Mexican people in the state.
Source: La Jornada
