U.S. - Mexico 2022 Consular Dialogue

October 28, 2022

Institutional Context

The U.S. - Mexico Consular Dialogue was established in 2013 with the goal of strengthening cooperation in the area of consular assistance and protection. Since 2014, staff from the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has been assigned to the Mexican Foreign Affairs Ministry’s General Directorate for Consular Protection and Strategic Planning, as a part of the actions to deepen the quality of care for the respective populations and the consular diplomatic capacities of both countries.

U.S. - Mexico 2022 Consular Dialogue

On October 28th, the 10th edition of the U.S. - Mexico Consular Dialogue was held in WashingtonD.C. Throughthisdialoguemechanism,binationalauthoritiesexchange good practices, identify areas of collaboration, address shared challenges, and exchange information on issues of mutual interest.

During this meeting, representatives from the U.S. Department of State and from the Mexican Consulates in Houston, New Orleans, Miami and San Juan shared their experiences with telephone assistance in consular protection, as well as in attention to crises caused by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, highlighting positive practices, challenges and achievements.

The U.S. delegation was chaired by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs of the State Department, Rena Bitter. The Mexican delegation was led by Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma Barragán;who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Director General for Consular Protection and Strategic Planning, Vanessa Calva Ruiz. Additionally, from the Mexican side, officials from the National Population Registry, the National System for the Integral Development of the Family, as well as from the Foreign Affairs Ministry attended virtually.