Consulado Sobre Ruedas arrives to Huntington Park for the first time

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On Tuesday, Laura Campos arrived at Salt Lake City Park in Huntington Park to apply for her Mexican Consulate Identification Card, also known as the Matrícula Consular, on the first day of the Consulado Sobre Ruedas (Consulate on Wheels). 

The temporary site provides services by the Mexican Consulate in different areas. The services provided include Mexican passports, ID cards and the identification needed to vote from outside the country called Identificación Nacional Electoral (INE). 

Campos was delighted to learn that she could complete this process without traveling to the Mexican Consulate in the L.A.’s MacArthur Park area.

“I walked here, and the process was very fast,” she said. “I called last week thinking I would have to wait a long time for an appointment, but it took only one week to get it.”

Campos is one of about 1,500 people from the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) area who will be able to obtain their Mexican documentation during the two-week period that the Consulado Sobre Ruedas will be at Huntington Park. This service helps Mexicans living in this area access essential procedures and services without traveling long distances. This effort reflects the commitment of the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles to serve and support the Mexican community throughout Los Angeles County. 

Representatives from the City of Huntington Park and the Mexican Consulate gathered on Tuesday to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the Consulado Sobre Ruedas. The services will be offered from Tuesday, December 3, to Saturday, December 7, and then from December 11 to Friday, December 13, 2024. 

The Consul of Mexico in Los Angeles, Carlos Gutierrez Gonzalez, said having this service in Huntington Park is ideal, since the city has a population that is more than 90% Mexican. 

“We hope this will be the first of many upcoming visits,” he said during a press conference.  Karina Macias, mayor of Huntington Park, said that while the city is only about three square miles, the large Mexican population benefits from the services offered. 

Service the same day

José Colín and his wife, Olivia Colín, heard on the news that the Consulado Sobre Ruedas would be in Huntington Park. For them, it was a no-brainer to go on Tuesday and ask how they could obtain a service for an INE identification. José said they were very lucky they didn’t even have to make an appointment because they were given the service the same day.

“Like most Mexicans, we just decided to show up and see if we could do the process, and it worked,” said José.“I wonder if it was because of the age that they allowed us to get the ID the same day,” added Olivia stating that she is 73 and José is 75 years old. 

Huntington Park Vice-Mayor Arturo Flores said although Huntington Park is a dynamic community, these services are vital for the residents because many don’t have a vehicle to travel to downtown Los Angeles. 

“We urge residents to come and get their documentation,” he said. 

Karina Macias, mayor of Huntington Park, said the City is happy to collaborate with the Mexican Consulate to provide these services. 

Gonzalez said there are plans to return in early 2025 and help up to 4,000 Mexican residents with their documentation. 

Locations and appointments

There are three Consulados Sobre Ruedas offering services in December. In Huntington Park is Salt Lake Park, 3401 E Florence Ave, Huntington Park. The second one is at Federacion Nacional E Internacional de Nayaritas En USA (FENINE) at 514 W. Anaheim Street in Wilmington from Friday, December 3 to Saturday, December 7, then from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13, and from Tuesday, December 17 to Saturday, December 21, Tuesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 26 to Saturday, December 28. 

The third location is Hermandad Mexicana at 38424 10th Street East in Palmdale from Wednesday, December 4 to Saturday, December 7 and from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13. 

Call (424) 309-0009 or WhatsApp (213) 507-2981 to schedule an appointment at any of these locations or at the Mexican Consulate in MacArthur Park. All appointments are free of charge.