Monday, November 18

Prices increase for Mexican consular services in the US

Mexicans residing abroad were shocked when they found out that as of January 1 of this year the prices of all the services offered by the Mexican consulates were going up.

Although the increase decreed by the Mexican Ministry of Finance is modest, it did not go down well with the Mexican community, especially because they do not consider customer service to be good.

However, we must not forget that every January, the prices of Mexican consular services rise in price, and they did not start with the government of the Fourth Transformation.

So as of January 1 of the current year, the passport for 3 years costs $93, before it cost $88; for 6 years it is now worth $126, before $120; and for 10 years $192, last year it was $181.

In January 2021, a passport for 10 years was $165, for 3 years, $83; and for 6 years, $113.

It should be noted that for those over 60 years of age, passport prices have a 50% discount.

“It is not possible that Mexican passports are more expensive than American passports that for 10 years cost $130 for the book alone and $160 with the card,” said Aniceto “Cheto” Polanco, a community activist originally from Guerrero, Mexico, who lives in the Compton neighborhood in Los Angeles.

“The argument that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives is that it is expensive due to operating costs, and because they deliver it at the same time, something that no government in the world does,” he said.

“Cheto” Polanco, who recognizes himself as a follower of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, acknowledged that this system of increases is a legacy of past governments, but said that in meetings with Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, they have made him see that they need prices be lowered because most of the Mexicans living in the United States are working class.

“We have also requested that there be changes in the personnel because in the consulates we find many racist and classist employees who treat us badly; and we also want the many complaints that exist in relation to the service to be addressed, ”he said.

Regarding the issuance of emergency passports, the applicant must pay an additional 30% to the price according to the period of time requested, a charge that is not new either.

The cost of the consular registration increased from $36 to $38; in 2021 it cost $33.

Under the new round of increases, certified copies of vital records are now $18; the list of household items for Mexicans $134 and the notarial certificates $163.

Maribel Solache, a San Diego community activist and longtime critic of consulate services, said the increases are disproportionate.

“I don’t see why and why they need to increase prices. I would like to know if with that money, the staff will be increased, or the quality will be improved, or if that increase will go to a fund to help Mexico. If so, I support it, but if they are going to continue with the same treatment and staff, I don’t agree.”

He made it clear that each consulate takes money to pay its expenses and the payroll of income from services.

“But I do not approve that they are used so that the consuls pay drivers, dinners, meals and a life of luxury. Since the Fourth Transformation began, I have not seen austere consulates. Honestly, the president lives more austerely than the consuls. Perhaps the austerity is seen in the poor service they give because the consuls still have many privileges.

Solache pointed out that he definitely disagrees with a price increase if the poor service continues.

Mario Cárdenas, former president of the Sinaloense Fraternity, now a business consultant, said he understands that the increases do not sit well at a time when we are dealing with high inflation rates in the United States.

But he said that the operating expenses of the consulates are also going up and they have to raise their prices to survive.

“We have to understand that the quality of services is not achieved because there is a lot of workload that consulates like the one in Los Angeles have. And we must not forget that this is a shared responsibility. I have helped many compatriots with their paperwork, and I struggle because sometimes they don’t do their part or rush, nor do their relatives in Mexico help them get the documents they need to obtain the services”.

He also said that it is important that we educate ourselves on the technological issue so as not to depend on anyone to do our paperwork.

For more details on the new increases in Mexican consular services, visit the official website consulmex.sre.gov.mx