Cultiva Central Valley promotora Analilia Moreira, left, was on hand to guide participants through the process of obtaining their documentation. (The Merced FOCUS/Christian De Jesus Betancourt)
- The Mexican Consulate is helping people obtain important identity documents in Merced, Mendota, Orosi, and Madera.
- “I looked at the cameras and there were people here since 3 a.m.,” said Anabel Serna, promotora coordinator for Cultiva Central Valley.
- The program allows Mexican nationals to apply for and obtain passports and Mexican consular identification cards.
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People began lining up outside Cultiva Central Valley’s Merced office before sunrise Monday, hoping to secure documents they had gone years without through a program offered by the Mexican Consulate.
By
The Merced FOCUS
Some were elderly, while others needed identification for the first time. All were looking for a sense of safety in a moment marked by fear and uncertainty under the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.
“I looked at the cameras and there were people here since 3 a.m.,” said Anabel Serna, promotora coordinator for Cultiva Central Valley.
The Mexican Consulate in Fresno is in Merced this week as part of the Consulado sobre Ruedas – Consulate on Wheels program, which partners with nonprofit organizations to bring consular services to underserved communities.
About 64% of Merced County’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Of the nearly 300,000 people living in Merced County, over 160,000 identified as Mexican, with over 50,000 claiming Mexican nationality, figures from the 2021 American Community Survey show.
The service is available through Thursday at Cultiva Central Valley’s offices at 3341 M St. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Services Provided for Mexican Nationals
The program allows Mexican nationals to apply for and obtain passports and Mexican consular identification cards; documents that are critical for everyday tasks such as accessing services, traveling, or picking up a sick child from school, according to attendees.
“I came to renew my documents,” said Rene Baltazar, who drove two hours from Porterville. “I used them as IDs and to obtain credit and other things.”
Throughout the month, the consulate will also offer services in Mendota, Orosi, and Madera.
Appointments are required and must be scheduled through Mi Consulado by calling or messaging WhatsApp at (424) 309-0009 or online at citas.sre.gob.mx. Appointments open on the Wednesday before each visit and are free, personal, and non-transferable.
Some walk-ins may be available depending on capacity.
People Line Up Early in Merced
On Monday, dozens of people arrived hours early to secure a spot, as they did not have ample time to make an appointment.
The organization, Serna said, quickly agreed to host the consulate again after seeing the need firsthand just three months ago.
“En este clima político que hay, la gente tiene mucho miedo – People are really afraid of the current political climate,” she said in Spanish. “Having the consulate here gives them a sense of safety.”
Across the country, people have reported being detained by agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite having authorized immigration status or even being citizens.
Analilia Moreira, a promotora with Cultiva, helped manage the crowd and guide people through the process, having worked with the organization for more than 14 years.
She volunteered her time to support neighbors navigating paperwork that many found intimidating.
“I want to get involved in a lot of things and learn so I can provide correct information to my friends and neighbors,” she said. “Right now, people aren’t safe to be questioned about their status just because of the way they look. A lot of people are getting Mexican documents they’ve never had before.”
High Demand for Mexican Passports
As she checked people in, Moreira noticed a consistent need among those waiting.
A large number were seeking Mexican passports, especially elderly residents who had never held formal identification.
The setup itself helped calm nerves, said Moreira. The consulate set up shop in an alley between two buildings, with gates on each side, providing privacy and security for early arrivals.
“Last time we had it, there were a lot of rumors of immigration being in Merced, so a lot of people were afraid,” she said of the program’s visit last year, when about 40 people were served each day.
This time, demand was noticeably higher. By around 11 a.m. Monday, more than 85 people had already signed up for the day, while others were turned away and signed up for the next days.
Serna said many visitors were seeking identification for the first time, often because daily life now requires it.
“A guy who came this morning told me that he needed an ID to be able to pick up his kid from school when he got sick,” she said.
The Consulado sobre Ruedas program will continue throughout the month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the following locations:
- Wednesday–Thursday, Feb. 4–5, Merced: 3341 M St. at Cultiva Central Valley
- Monday–Thursday, Feb. 9–12, Mendota: 115 Belmont Ave. at Amor Wellness Center
- Tuesday–Friday, Feb. 17–20, Orosi: 40802 Rd. 128 at Cutler Orosi Family Education Center
- Monday–Thursday, Feb. 23–26, Madera: 27243 Ellis St. at Iglesia Pentecostal Unida Hispanica Inc.
About the Reporter
As the Bilingual Community Issues Reporter for The Merced FOCUS, Christian De Jesus Betancourt is dedicated to illuminating the vibrant stories of the Latino Community of Merced. His journey is deeply rooted in the experiences of migration and the pursuit of a better life.
