Beyond Paperwork: The Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas Supports Its Community

The network of Mexican consulates in the United States is the largest of any country within another, providing safe spaces for Mexican nationals regardless of immigration status. They can handle essential paperwork like IDs and passports or request funeral services here. However, the consulates go beyond immediate services, thanks to an extensive network of alliances that offer educational support, health services, and civic guidance to help people exercise their political rights in upcoming U.S. elections.

In an interview with Heraldo USA, Patricia Cortés, the Mexican Consul in Las Vegas, highlighted that one of the consulate’s main challenges is increasing awareness within the community about available services. These include protection services, community information desks, and programs for women’s empowerment. Since 2020, this program has supported 75 women in starting new businesses or growing existing ones.

Recently, the consulate expanded its public service capacity by adding seven new service windows, which have increased assistance to residents across Nevada’s 17 counties, including Clark, Washoe, and Carson City, by 20%.

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Más allá de los trámites, el Consulado Mexicano en Las Vegas impulsa a la comunidad

En Nevada, existe una comunidad de origen mexicano “entrona y generosa” de aproximadamente un millón de personas.

The importance of the Mexican Community in Nevada

Nevada’s Mexican-origin community, numbering approximately one million—220,000 born in Mexico—predominantly works in the tertiary sector. In the south, many are employed in restaurants, construction, and retail, while agriculture is a common occupation in the north. This community is known for its resilience and generosity, allowing them to thrive as business owners, attorneys, and in other professions, providing vital support to their community and the consulate.

Are Mexican nationals in Nevada interested in U.S. and Mexican politics?

On June 2, Mexican nationals in the United States could cast votes in person, online, or by mail for the Mexican presidential election and other offices, with 184,326 citizens abroad participating—most from the United States. According to Consul Cortés, interest in participating in Mexico’s democracy has surged. Consulates play a vital role in credentialing individuals for this electoral process. Additionally, the Mexican community celebrates having a woman as president in Mexico and a female consul in Las Vegas.

Looking ahead to the U.S. elections in November, Consul Patricia Cortés notes that more members of the Mexican community are recognizing the importance of voting and wanting their voices heard. “We see more and more awareness within the community about how important it is to vote and the influence of the Hispanic vote, especially here in Nevada, a swing state,” she emphasized.

The consulate also collaborates with partners who help guide Mexican nationals on how to vote in the U.S., encouraging U.S. citizens in the community to visit the consulate for assistance if they have questions about participating in the election.

The Mexican Consulate in Las Vegas is at 823 South 6th Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89101, USA. For more information about its services, visit Consulmex Las Vegas at Consulmex Las Vegas (sre.gob.mx).

Patricia Tepozteco