Mexican Consul General gears up to support undocumented immigrants

“I’ve been in education for 27 years as a teacher, principal, district administrator, at the state department of education. And in those 27 years, this is the first,” said Dr. Hector Rico with the Alisal Union School District.

This is the first time Rico is paying close attention to immigration policy and to the anxiety he sees growing in the community.

“Whether or not some of these fears are unwarranted, that remains to be seen. But the reality is for these families, these fears are real and that’s their reality that they are living with,” Rico said.

It’s a reality shaped by President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration.

The Mexican Consul General said his office has attorneys ready to help.

“Everybody knows that Mexicans here work, and Mexicans here produce not only in the fields, in the crops, but in Silicon Valley, so it’s (unexplainable) how suddenly the Mexicans are called burglars, rapists,” said Mexican Consul General Maurice Toussaint.

Toussaint said the consulate is gearing up to defend Mexican citizens living in the U.S.

“I would like to call on the Mexican community here,” Toussaint said. “If you have any doubts, please call to the consulate, call to your civil rights organizations and we are ready to support you.”

This is something Dr. Rico said means a lot to the community.

“I think that really helps the parents feel a lot more confident that what they are being told is accurate because we can have our own forums but we are not the Mexican consulate,” Rico said.

The Consul General also reminded undocumented immigrants that they have rights too.

Fifty Mexican consulates across the country also offer a 24-hour hotline for those who need help.