The Two Consuls

On Friday, November 21, the Centro Cristiano Renacer in Poughkeepsie was full of activity. On one hand, the Mexican Mobile Consulate was taking place—a major event that brings hundreds of people from Poughkeepsie and nearby communities to process documents such as passports, consular IDs, voter credentials, and dual citizenship. On the other hand, something less common was happening: a series of meetings between the Consuls General of Mexico and Guatemala and local public officials and community leaders. Thanks to the invitation of Gabriela Vega-Matthews from Casa Comunitaria de Recursos, I participated in the latter.

Shortly after noon, Marco Bucio Mujica, Consul General of Mexico in New York (who took office in August this year), and Víctor Humberto Ramírez Scaglia, Consul General of Guatemala in New York, sat at a small table facing an audience arranged in a U-shape with tablecloths and about twenty people seated around. The purpose of such a special meeting—representatives of two countries in conversation with Latino community leaders—was, as Vega-Matthews explained, “to foster dialogue and strengthen relationships with the Consuls General of Mexico and Guatemala, to discuss shared priorities, explore ways of collaboration, and work together for our communities.”

Each guest introduced themselves. Among those present were: Susie Ximénez, Director of Adelante Student Voices; Kimberly Bacon and Steven Posada from Dutchess Community College (who discussed the need for bilingual emergency response workers); Rocío Guerra Sharrock, energy advisor at Cornell Cooperative Extension and founder of Entre Mujeres Networking; Estefanie Umbach from Day One Early Learning; Julee Molina from the City of Poughkeepsie (the mayor was traveling); Muriel Horowitz of Granny's Respond and Reunite Migrant Families; Pastor Cecilia Ruíz of Iglesia Vasos de Misericordia en el Camino; Mayelin F. from Grace Smith House; Micaela Hernández from Pathstone Corporation; Edgar Rivera from the Poughkeepsie Children’s Funding Project; Shane and Inginia Jackson from Camino al Éxito (who requested mobile consulates in the Pawling and Dover area, 45 minutes from Poughkeepsie but still within Dutchess County); Felipe Santos from Revolución Radio; Pastor Héctor Lucero, the host; Melissa Medina from The Big Tomato restaurant; and representatives from Sun River Health, who had specific case questions.

Consul Víctor Ramírez of Guatemala explained that his consulate serves three states—New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York—with mobile consulates held every month. He acknowledged that it’s impossible to meet every need but emphasized good intentions: “It’s very valuable for us to know where we should focus more.” He promised Jackson, “Count on the Guatemalan Consulate. We can discuss organizing an extraordinary session in 2026 to grant Guatemalan nationality to children of Guatemalans born here. But we’ll have to plan it carefully.” Regarding dual nationality, he shared that “the registration of children of Guatemalans born in the U.S. at the New York Consulate was about 70 per month before November 4, 2024. After November 5—Election Day—it rose to 500 per month. The increase was exponential.” He highlighted this as not only a matter of documentation but also of “protection and assistance. Family separation is something we see every day at the consulate, and reuniting Guatemalan children with their parents is essential. We’ve even had to bring back children left behind when their parents were deported,” he remarked.

Consul Marco Bucio Mujica of Mexico came accompanied by Mexican Documentation Consul Ana Patricia Martínez Gardibos, Community Consul Félix Santana (who mentioned online educational opportunities through the Plaza Comunitaria), and others. Bucio thanked all attendees for their work with the community, noting, “We process 8,000 documents per month and issue passports in 15 minutes.” Consul Martínez added, regarding dual nationality for children of Mexicans born in the U.S., “On the same day, they can become Mexican citizens and get a Mexican passport. Our president has ordered a simplification of all Mexican documentation. Honestly, I don’t know of any other country in the world that can process this kind of paperwork so quickly.” Her comment was followed by a round of applause.

Both consulates emphasized that they offer many other resources, including lists of pro bono immigration attorneys, emergency hotlines for locating detained loved ones and providing legal assistance, repatriation and reintegration programs (such as México te abraza), as well as services related to marriage, education, and health.

For my part, I invited both consuls to have a monthly or bimonthly segment on my radio show to keep our communities informed. Both accepted the idea of collaboration for 2026, and I intend to hold them to their word.

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!
See you again in February.

Mariel Fiori
Director

 

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