Guatemala to open McAllen consulate Dec. 1

McALLEN — Guatemala plans to open the country’s second Texas consulate in McAllen on Dec. 1, an acknowledgement of the Rio Grande Valley’s growing economic clout and the high number of Guatemalan immigrants who illegally cross into the United States through south Texas.

On Monday, a slew of officials from both nations and a media scrum packed into the modest brick building at 709 S. Broadway, across the street from McAllen City Hall and short walk from the Mexican consulate.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez welcomed several high-ranking Guatemalan dignitaries, including Foreign Minister Haroldo Rodas, and Alba Caceres, the new consul of Guatemala in McAllen

“It’s important that, as we become more cosmopolitan, more international, we receive people here from all over the world, we have an ability to serve those people as best as we can,” Cortez said.

“And we all know — and it’s always in the paper — that we have undocumented workers flowing back and forth. And a big part of America’s strategy is to capture these undocumented workers and send them back,” Cortez said. “However, they’re also human beings. And how we do it and the sensitivity of how we service those people is very important. And the consulate’s office is here to provide those needed services.”

“So for us to have it in McAllen — to me — is a very rewarding accomplishment for us. Because we want people that, when they come to McAllen, they feel part of an extended family if they’re not from here. Because what’s going to define us in the future — I've said this over and over again — is how we treat one another.”

While Border Patrol doesn’t typically release apprehension data by nationality, among countries other than Mexico, Guatemala ranks among the top three for illegal immigrants caught crossing into the United States, said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Daniel Milian.

The McAllen consulate will allow Guatemalans apprehended by Border Patrol to meet face-to-face with a consular official, Milian said, instead of speaking by telephone to the Guatemalan consulate in Houston.

In addition to providing services to illegal immigrants, the new consulate will handle passports and visas, and help build business ties between Guatemala and McAllen, said Jose Barillas, consul general of Guatemala in Houston.

“Given the importance that McAllen has acquired economically, we thought it would be the best city close to the border (to open the consulate),” Barillas said.

--

Dave Hendricks covers McAllen and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at dhendricks@themonitor.com and at (956) 683-4452.