The new Consul at the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, Ricardo Santana Velázquez, recently met with Central Coast leaders to discuss the needs of the Mexican community in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Consul Santana Velázquez, appointed on July 1, 2023, emphasized his commitment to understanding and addressing local concerns.
Addressing Key Issues for the Mexican Community
A primary focus of the meeting, organized by the Latino Outreach Council, was the need for increased accessibility to consular services. Representatives from various organizations, including Congressman Salud Carbajal’s office, the San Luis Obispo Police Department, and UndocuSupport, highlighted the challenges faced by the community.
Two key issues emerged: the demand for Mixteco translators and the need for more frequent pop-up consulate events. The current two-hour travel time to the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard from San Luis Obispo poses a significant barrier for many, especially for the undocumented immigrant population seeking essential documents for housing and services. The limited number of pop-up consulates, with appointments often filling within hours, further exacerbates this issue.
Expanding Services and Building Trust
Chelsea Ruiz, Program Manager of San Luis Obispo County UndocuSupport, stressed the importance of accessible document services for the undocumented community. She highlighted how obtaining identification is a crucial first step for individuals to secure housing and access vital services.
Responding to these concerns, Consul Santana Velázquez expressed his intention to increase the budget for pop-up consulate events, specifically mentioning San Luis Obispo as a priority location. He aims to expand services to include more accessible locations and potentially offer more appointments. The consulate in Oxnard currently handles approximately 135 appointments per day.
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Rick Scott emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard to better serve the community and foster trust. He highlighted the need for diverse representation within law enforcement and proactive outreach to build stronger relationships with the Mexican community.
Services Offered by the Mexican Consulate Oxnard
The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard offers a wide range of services, including:
- Passport issuance and renewal
- Matricula consular (consular ID card)
- Voter registration
- Health, education, and financial resources
- Services for indigenous communities
- Dual citizenship services, including naturalization assistance for U.S.-born individuals with Mexican parentage. This includes exam preparation and English classes to support U.S. citizenship applications.
While a recent pop-up consulate in Santa Maria is fully booked, another event is planned for San Luis Obispo County later this year. Appointments can be made online at https://citas.sre.gob.mx/, via WhatsApp, or by calling (805) 330-3060.
