The Office of Hispanic Affairs invited the new Guatemalan consulate staff to the Diocesan Pastoral Center where they were introduced to Bishop Gerald Barnes, Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego and representatives of other offices and the Guatemalan community.
Consul Muñoz affirmed the purpose of serving a growing community. He foresees that it will be more convenient for Guatemalans from Pomona to Imperial Valley and Nevada to come to the consulate in San Bernardino than the one in Los Angeles. They are also planning to take a “mobile consulate” to their compatriots in the most remote areas in order to help save time and distance.
The Consulate of El Salvador will also extend its services one Thursday a month in the City of Riverside. The General Consul in Los Angeles, Ms. María Mercedes López Peña, addressed Salvadorians on the radio station El Sembrador urging them to renew the TPS (Temporary Protected Program for Salvadorians) and to report that this year.
The consulate will provide services the last Thursday of each month at 5555 Arlington Avenue, in the City Hall building in the City of Riverside from 10 am to 4 pm. Consul Mercedes López asks the Salvadorians in our counties to avoid long waits in Los Angeles, go into the system online and make an appointment for consular services in the City of Riverside. They can also call toll free (888) 301-1130 and make an appointment. The Consulate of El Salvador accepts the help of generous volunteers who offered to help and those wishing to do so may call (213) 234-9200 ext 214.
Ana María Fernández, Guatemalan, tells us the great joy of this approach, as many Central American brothers and sisters may obtain identification documents, receive legal advice, process permits and other issues dealing with their countries of origin, saving huge distances which often mean lost workdays. We heartily welcome the representatives of these fraternal countries.
Petra Alexander is the Director of the Office of Hispanic Affairs of the Diocese of San Bernardino.