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Ribbon cutting opens new Mexican consulate in state Thursday, Apr 26, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - The state's first foreign diplomatic office - a Mexican consulate - officially opened its doors Wednesday during a ribbon cutting and celebration that included authentic south-of-the-border music and food. "Here you will find quality services and answers to questions and answers to your problems," Andres Chao, the new consul, said during the ceremony. The consulate, Mexico's 47th in the United States, will not only serve as link between the U.S. and Mexico, but it also will offer services to the growing Mexican population living Arkansas, Mississippi Oklahoma, Chao said. Before Wednesday, the nearest consulate was 280 miles away in Dallas. Arturo Zarukhan, the Mexican ambassador to the United States, told a crowd of more than 300 that he hopes the consulate will "deepen and widen the relationship" between Arkansas and Mexico. "Our bilateral relationship has a direct, immediate and tangible impact on the economic, social and well being of our two peoples, and in this vibrant relationship ... this consulate plays a key role," he said. The Mexican consulate is located on South University Avenue across from the main entrance to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Wednesday's festivities were held in the consulate office and under a large tent pitched in a nearby parking lot. The tent was erected because rain was forecast, but the weather cleared for the event. Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, standing in for vacationing Gov. Mike Beebe, said the consulate "will lead to tremendous opportunities." Halter said he hoped the addition of the consulate in Little Rock would help improve trade between Arkansas and its second biggest trading partner. Canada is the state's top trading partner. Along with the official ribbon cutting, the signing of an official sister cities agreement between Little Rock and Pachuca in the Mexican state of Hidalgo also highlighted the ceremony. Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola addressed the crowd, as did Sherman Banks, the president of the Little Rock Sister Cities Commission; Omar Fayad, municipal president of Pachuca and Laura Vargas de Osorio, first lady of the state of Hildago. Afterward, visitors were treated to Mexican music and food in the outdoor tent. Authentic Mexican artwork also was on display. While all the festivities were going on, three people stood across South University protesting the event. The three apparently were with the group White Revolution. The organization's leader, Billy Roper of Russellville, told a Little Rock radio station this week that members would protest the event. The organization argues that the consulate would lead to relaxed immigration laws and open the door to more illegal immigrants, which it says would hurt employment opportunities for Arkansans. Joe McCutchen of Fort Smith, a foe of illegal-immigration, also financed a series of radio advertisements on stations in Little Rock and western Arkansas earlier this week in opposition to the opening of the consulate. When asked by reporters about the opposition, and whether the consulate would get involved in federal immigrations sweeps or other immigration matters, Zarukhan said, "There's a limit to what the consulate can do." "We cannot interfere with the application of the law in the United States," he said. "But certainly the consulates do get involved when the rights of those individuals who have been detained, have been violated, or when you have instances of families that are torn asunder and parents are deported and the kids stay here." The ambassador said the consulate would make sure Mexican citizens have access to their documents, and passports, and it will address labor disputes and human rights issues. Chao said the consulate would not be a way station for illegal immigrants to enter the country. He said his office would issue special identification cards, which are accepted by some banks for opening of checking accounts. Charles Cervantes, state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said some people are misinformed about the consulate and what it will do. "They're not here for immigration. They have no authority, no dealing with immigration. That's not what they're here for," Cervantes said. "Folks have to understand that the United States has consulates and embassies all over the world," he said, adding that U.S. citizens often use American consulates or embassies if they lose their passports or need help. |
