Message from Ambassador Garza on the signing of the Merida Initiative by President Bush

June 30, 2008 - " The Merida Initiative represents a new era of cooperation which will amplify and strengthen existing law enforcement cooperation, intelligence sharing, and training programs.  It will also provide new equipment for Mexican forces to use to better confront the common threat of drug trafficking and other transnational organized crime..." (more)

Blogs on America.gov

The El Bajio Virtual Presence Post is pleased to announce the launch of "Blogs at America.gov," a new interactive forum that gives readers around the world a place to share their views and to join in conversation with U.S. and other experts on current events and topics of global interest. We encourage you to share your thoughts with our bloggers and fellow readers in the comments section of each post.

America.gov is launching with three blogs on issues that have been at the forefront of recent news. Several more blogs will follow in the future... (more)

Working in the United States on an L Visa

Over 6,000 visas were issued last year to Mexicans transferring to the United States offices of companies for which they previously worked in Mexico.  While many Mexicans are unaware that this visa category exists, these L visa workers, or “intra-company transferees,” are employed in almost every industry you can imagine—from oil and gas exploration to advertising and software development. 

What all of these visa holders have in common is that they have worked full-time for their company outside of the United States for at least one of the past three years.  The United States Congress created the L visa category in 1970 to make it easier for foreign nationals with management, executive and specialized knowledge skills to transfer to the United States to continue working with the same employer. (more)

Travel Alert: Hurricane Season

This Travel Alert is being issued to alert U.S. citizens to the Hurricane Season in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. 

The official Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June through November. This Travel Alert expires November 30, 2008.  Please click here for further details.

Worried About Credit Card Skimming?

Credit card skimming is problem faced world-wide, accounting for losses of over one-billion dollars a year[1].  In Mexico, skimming can be particularly acute in tourist areas or areas with large numbers of foreign nationals—making San Miguel de Allende a prime target.* 

What is skimming? 
Skimming is the theft of credit card information, typically stolen during an otherwise legitimate credit transaction.  This scam is easy to run – it often occurs when you hand over your credit card to a dishonest employee in a restaurant or bar.  Once the skimmer has your credit card in their possession and out of your immediate view, they are free to “skim” your information.  The skimmer will swipe the credit card with a small machine and use a small keypad to transcribe the 3 or 4-digit card security code that matches up with the magnetic strip. With this information the skimmer is able to produce counterfeit credit cards.  (more)

Telling America’s Story: the new “America.gov” website

If you are interested in knowing more about what’s going on in the United States, America.gov is a great site for you!  On America.gov you’ll find out more about what Americans are thinking in this historic election year or to what extent regional or socio-economic or other factors might play in their voting patterns; you’ll also have access to the latest on U.S. foreign policy concerning a particular country or region or issue; information on American arts and culture or its education system will also be at your fingertips.  (more)

Documentation requirements when traveling to/from Mexico

Summer’s just around the corner and if you’re planning a vacation to or from the United States, read on!  Don’t get caught unprepared…  To ensure a happy vacation, it’s critical that you have all the right documents to ensure a smooth border crossing. 

Beginning January 31, 2008, implementation of Phase 1 of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect.  What does this mean?  (more)

U.S. Consulate explores Guanajuato development projects 

Beyond the bustling and colorful streets of Guanajuato city and other colonial jewels like San Miguel de Allende, the Guanajuato countryside is peppered with small towns.  Traveling outside the major cities, the Public Affairs Officer from the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara recently visited several of these small towns to take a look at local economic development projects sponsored by the Bajío Community Foundation.

The Bajío Community Foundation was created in 1998 with the goal of spurring economic growth in the region and addressing the root of the migration issue through sustainable, community-led development and job creation.  It is one of the oldest community foundations in Mexico and promotes particularly progressive inter-sectoral programs and collaborations with both government and the private sector.  (more)

New $5 Bill Entered Circulation March 13th

Cross-border shoppers are likely to see a new US$5 bill—the new bank note started circulating March 13, 2008.  The bill will have a new purple tint around President Abraham Lincoln, two new watermarks and a big numeral “5” on the back, not so much a counterfeiting deterrent as an aide for the visually impaired. 

The many new security features being added to the $5 bill are fully described on the U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

---ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE---

Due to unforeseen circumstances, all consular services rendered in the Consular Agency in San Miguel de Allende will be by appointment only until further notice.  Appointments can be scheduled by phone (01-415) 152-2357 or by email consuladosma@unisono.net.mx.  U.S. citizens with emergency issues should contact the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, tel. 55 5080 2000.  We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Survey: Did You Have Problems Migrating to Mexico?

The Mexican Government is conducting a perception survey among citizens of the United States and Canada living in Mexico in order to identify the main difficulties they faced during the process of migrating to Mexico and once they have settled in the country.  Its purpose is to collect information, analyze the main difficulties, and propose policy changes to facilitate migration to Mexico.

Your participation is completely voluntary; please forward it to any other US or Canadian citizens living in Mexico you may know.  All information provided will remain anonymous and strictly confidential, and will only be used for the purpose of this study.  Follow this link to complete the 5 minute survey.

Opportunities for Study in the United States

Did you know that in 2007 there were 14,922 students from Mexico studying in the United States?  Think there’s nothing available for you?  Think again!  The alternatives are numerous.  Perhaps you prefer a small four-year private university in New England, or maybe you’re looking for a “starter” program at a two-year technical school in the Southwest, or maybe you’re looking for the typical U.S. college experience and want to go to a large, public university in the Midwest – all these options, and more, are available.  (more)   

Earthquake Preparedness for You and Your Family

Being prepared BEFORE an earthquake is the best way to ensure you and your family stay safe. 

The El Bajio Region is considered an active seismic zone, making this area susceptible to earthquakes.   The probability of a major earthquake actually occurring is small; however the destruction and disruption of services caused by a major earthquake makes it important to plan for an earthquake ahead of time. (more)

Curtis Exhibition opens in Guanajuato 

The U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara participated in the opening ceremony for the exhibition of Edward S. Curtis’ photographs of American Indians, “Sacred Legacy” in Guanajuato.  The exhibition has traveled around the Western Hemisphere since 2005 and will continue its tour in Mexico through the beginning of 2009. 

Edward S. Curtis was a renowned photographer and ethnographer who, between 1900 and 1930, developed a photographic record of more than eighty of North America’s native nations.  This unique exhibition of sixty-two fine art photographic prints highlights the diversity among Native American people and their cultures as well as provides an extraordinary example of Curtis’s photographic talent.

The exhibition is currently at the historic Museo Regional de Guanajuato “Alhóndiga de Granaditas” until June 1, 2008, after which it will travel to Torreón, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

The April Consular Newsletter is available! 

>> Open April 2008 Consular Newsletter

U.S./Mexico Avocado Program in Michoacan

Under a cooperative service agreement signed by the United States Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Avocado Export Program Association, a series of requirements were agreed upon for Mexican avocado producers to export their products to the United States.  As part of this agreement, APHIS International Services has been working side-by-side with avocado producers in Mexico to ensure the requirements of the agreement are met, thus allowing products to reach their final destination as quickly as possible. (more) 

United States Peace Corps Volunteers Promote Economic Development and Environmental Conservation

Statement by Ms. Leslie Bassett, Chargé d'Affaires ad Interim

Mexico City, December 19, 2007 — “Peace Corps volunteers demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to public service and represent the best of America’s volunteer spirit. Working side by side with their Mexican counterparts to promote Mexico’s economic development and environmental conservation, Peace Corps volunteers in Mexico foster greater mutual understanding and cooperation... (more)

H-2B Worker Rights & Responsibilities

Did you know that Mexico sends more H-2B workers to the U.S. than any other country in the world?  Of these workers, a significant number are residents of the El Bajio region of Mexico, with a particular concentration in the State of Michoacan. 

If you’re an H2 worker, a family member or friend of an H2 worker or are an employer of H2 workers, please review the following article for details on both the rights and the responsibilities of H2 workers in the United States. (more)

Thinking about Retiring Abroad - perhaps in San Miguel de Allende?

It's important to carefully consider both the benefits and the inevitable challenges before making this decision.  Below are several recent articles that provide food for thought for those who are making this life-changing decision.

• "Retiring Abroad", AARP SegundaJuventud