The Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City increases its consular services, assistance and protection after passage of HB 4156

The Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City increases its consular services, assistance and protection after passage of HB 4156

• Mexico expresses its concern over the signing into law of Oklahoma HB4156, which will go into effect on July 1.
• The Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City will follow up on this law and, especially, the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas (OSWPV) Task Force announced by Governor Kevin Stitt to bolster the state's workforce and create job opportunities.

HB4156 creates a new state crime called "impermissible occupation," which is committed when a person intentionally enters the U.S. without permission and remains in the state of Oklahoma without proper immigration authorization.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is authorized to collect and maintain identifying information for individuals who are arrested and processed for cross-referencing with state or federal databases. HB4156 also has a preemptive clause barring municipalities from declaring themselves a "sanctuary city."

Mexico promptly communicated its position on this type of measure and the valuable contributions-economic, social and cultural-of the Mexican and migrant community in the U.S. to Oklahoma state authorities through its recently inaugurated consulate in Oklahoma City.

Through this channel of communication, we contributed to the creation of the Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visas (OSWPV) Task Force to create job opportunities and bolster the state's workforce.

The task force has nine members, including the Mexican consul in Oklahoma; it will draft a report analyzing the situation of the migrant worker community and presenting possible solutions.

As part of the task force, the consulate will present our respectful but clear and well-documented views to counteract the harmful rhetoric surrounding the undocumented migrant community and to inform state authorities about the reality of the situation at the border and the importance of Mexico as a strategic partner of the U.S.

The consulate has also increased its communication with local authorities at all levels, and with human and civil rights groups and community organizations. It will also strengthen the "Know and Exercise Your Rights" strategy and its outreach and information actions with our community.

The Mexican community is invited to visit the Mexican consulate (1131 W Sheridan Ave., Oklahoma City, OK) and contact the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans (CIAM) at (520) 623 78 74, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for official, safe and reliable information about this legislation and the consular services and actions that we make available to them.

Mexico will explore all available actions to defend and protect the rights of all Mexicans abroad.