Mexico will strengthen consular assistance and protection for Mexicans in Tennessee after passage of SB2576

Mexico will strengthen consular assistance and protection for Mexicans in Tennessee after passage of SB2576

• Mexico's consulates in Atlanta and Little Rock will redouble their efforts to offer timely information, assistance and humane and dignified consular protection to the Mexican community in Tennessee, to ensure that they are aware of their rights should they be arrested.

Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expresses its deep concern over the passage of Tennessee SB2576.

The law increases cooperation between local and federal authorities on immigration, which could lead to families being separated, discriminatory practices and racial profiling, and other acts that affect the human rights of the migrant community. In addition, the law may result in immigrants making fewer complaints to law enforcement agencies due to their fear of the immigration consequences.

Mexico reaffirms its firm commitment to protecting the rights of its nationals abroad, especially due to state laws that create a hostile environment and lead to discriminatory practices that may adversely affect them.

Our consulates in Atlanta and Little Rock will redouble their efforts to offer timely information, assistance and humane and dignified consular protection to Mexican nationals in Tennessee, to ensure that they are aware of their rights should they be arrested. The consulates also offer free legal advice and other programs that local partners in the state develop for our community.

Our consulates will strengthen their communication with allied local authorities, the media and pro-immigrant organizations to run information campaigns on immigration and criminal matters.

Our community is invited to contact their consulate and the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans (CIAM) at (520) 623 78 74, which is available 24 hours a day and where they will find official, safe and reliable information about the consular services offered by the Foreign Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry, through its consulates in Atlanta and Little Rock, is ready to respond to any abuse or violation caused by SB2576, and will explore legal avenues that contribute to their defense in Tennessee.