Immigration Information

IMMIGRATION NEWS: THE LATEST OUT OF WASHINGTON D.C. (CLICK HERE)

WHERE ARE THE IMMIGRATION FORMS I NEED?

TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS

MATRICULA CONSULAR CARD

WHERE ARE THE U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES?

ABUSE OF FOREIGN SPOUSE BY THE U.S CITIZEN HUSBAND.

HOW DO I ?

• Go to www.uscis.gov
• Click on "Service and Benefits"
• Scroll down the left side and click on --"How Do I?" Factsheets

(1) GALEO is a 501 (c) (6) statewide nonprofit and non-partisan organization providing a voice for the growing Latino population in Georgia, and providing a framework for collaborative and proactive legislative initiatives for Georgia's Hispanic community. CLICK HERE.

(2) La Voz Latina is a free monthly newspaper that provides important information on issues and subjects for the community. Here you will find varied themes like local news, health, entertainment, social security, immigration and much more. CLICK HERE.

(3) MEXICAN CONSULATES IN THE USA.

The following information was last updated on March 8, 2009:

The Matricula Consular (Matricula), also referred to as the Certificate of

Consular Registration, is a water-sealed photo identification card issued to Mexican citizens by the Mexican Government. Local offices of the Consulate General of Mexico facilitate this service in the United States.

The Matricula operates as a Mexican citizen's primary identification and proof of residency in Mexico. The Matricula card is a numbered document which evidences the date of issuance and an expiration date. The Matricula includes a picture, a signature, and a brief description of the individual it identifies (name, date, place of birth, and the address of the individual). Security features include lamination, a watermark and a magnetic strip. The Matricula is normally valid for a period of five years, but it may be issued for lesser terms as indicated by the expiration date.

HOW DOES SOMEONE OBTAIN A MATRICULA CARD?

To obtain a Matricula card, a Mexican national must complete an application form in person at any of the 47 consulate offices of the Government of Mexico within the United States. Applicants must submit a certified copy of a birth certificate, present an official picture ID issued by any Mexican or U.S. authority, and show proof of residence in the consular district by presenting a phone, rent or power bill.

What is the Matricula Consular?

A Matricula Consular is an official I.D. card, which is issued by the Mexican Government through its Consular Offices. The document ONLY proves that the bearer is of Mexican nationality and is living outside of Mexico.

Requirements to obtain the Matricula Consular:

• Applicant must appear in person
• Applicant must present an original birth certificate to prove Mexican nationality.
• An official government issued photo I.D. to prove identity.
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease, etc) under the same name.

Secondary Requirements:

• Telephone number
• Next of kin information
• If a married woman wishes to use her married name, she must present an original marriage certificate.
• In case of a lost or stolen ID the applicant must also provide a police report in order to obtain a new Matricula Consular.

Procedure followed when issuing a Matricula Consular:

• Information booth: the applicant receives the information regarding requirements in order to obtain the Matricula Consular. If these requirements are provided, the applicant is then interviewed and the submitted documentation is verified. If all the documentation is correct the applicant receives an application and a control number.
• Call window: A Consular Staff member calls the number issued, reviews the applicant's documentation once again and interviews the applicant. Once the second verification has been completed the documents are processed along with the payment of the Matricula Consular ($28.00 U.S. dollars). The applicant is to wait while the information is inputted into the Matricula System.
• Data Capturing: A Consular Staff member introduces the applicants' information into the Matricula System. The system will let us know has already been issued a Matricula, and if so, the previously captured photograph will appear, which avoids duplicity. The Matricula System has the capacity to keep a record of documents issued to each individual.
• Photograph and signature: Once the data is entered, a forth Consular Staff member calls the applicant and with him verifies that the information already in the system is correct. An important part of this process is the fact that before the picture is taken the applicant must once again show his official ID in order to avoid someone from passing himself off as someone else. Once this is done the picture is taken and the signature is digitalized. After this, the system assigns an individual number that will appear on the card.
• Printing and finishing: As soon as the previous step is concluded, the matricula is digitally printed on a secure form. Special care must be taken to ensure that the applicant's matricula is printed on the corresponding numbered form, since the number assigned by the system must match the one pre-printed on the secure form. After printing the matricula is then laminated, once again the lamination has the matricula number pre printed on it, so in the same fashion as before the matricula and the lamination must match.

The following information was last updated on March 8, 2009:

Countries (or parts thereof) that are currently designated for TPS:

• Countries (or parts thereof) that are currently designated for TPS:
• Burundi: The designation of Burundi for TPS has been terminated effective 12:01 a.m. May 2, 2009. To maintain TPS benefits through May 1, 2009, Burundian TPS beneficiaries must comply with re-registration requirements. Most recent TPS re-registration period was from October 29, 2007, to December 28, 2007. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) were automatically extended through May 2, 2008.
• El Salvador: Currently designated through September 9, 2010. The 90-day re-registration began October 1, 2008, and ends December 30, 2008. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are automatically extended through September 9, 2009.
• Honduras: Currently designated through July 5, 2010. The 90-day re-registration began October 1, 2008, and ends December 30, 2008. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are automatically extended through July 5, 2009.
• Nicaragua: Currently designated through July 5, 2010. The 90-day re-registration began October 1, 2008, and ends December 30, 2008. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are automatically extended through July 5, 2009.
• Somalia: Currently designated through September 17, 2009. Most recent TPS re-registration period was from March 12, 2008, to May 12, 2008. EADs were automatically extended through September 17, 2008.
• Sudan: Currently designated through May 2, 2010. The 60-day re-registration began August 14, 2008, and ends October 14, 2008. EADs are automatically extended through May 2, 2009.