Mexican ‘’Consulate on Wheels’' returns to Wayne Community College

WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. (WITN)—An Eastern Carolina community college is hosting the Mexican Consulate on Wheels to allow Mexican citizens to obtain the identification documents they need.

Instead of people having to drive to the Consulate General of Mexico in Raleigh, the organization is taking its services on the road, with its destination being Wayne Community College.

“It’s a service they provide Mexican citizens on a way to obtain their documents which are needed,” Wayne Community College Small Business Center Director Esteban Guzmán said.

From February 10th to 14th, Mexican citizens with appointments can come to the community college in Goldsboro to get documents such as their Mexican passport, Mexican consular identification card, Mexican birth certificate duplicates, and voter registration, allowing citizens outside of Mexico to vote for Mexico’s president.

“You come here we check all your documents, and then we’re going to take your photo, biometrics, all those steps, and then at the end, you’re going to get your documents,” Unit Two Consul for Consulate on Wheels Emerson Araujo said.

With at least 500 people expected to take advantage of these services this week, Araujo says they understand the need.

“There is all your information,” Araujo said. “Our current document is essential for continuing your life, for continuing doing your activities.”

Guzmán says this is the fourth time the community college has hosted the consulate on wheels, with the first one being in February 2023. He says it’s important to have it at the college as Mexican citizens are an important part of the community.

“We are one of the building blocks of what makes Wayne County,” Guzmán said. “We have always been open to helping and giving an opportunity to all of our community members.”

Araujo says the process of getting those identification documents only takes a few hours.

WITN asked Araujo about any concerns they’re hearing from citizens when it comes to President Trump’s ICE raids, however, he would not answer the question. This comes as fear has grown among the Hispanic community in reaction to the ICE raids across the country. Many of the people there today did not want to show their faces on camera, though they didn’t say why.

Appointments can be made by calling 424-309-0009. Each appointment is for one person. There is no charge to schedule an appointment.

There are fees for some of the procedures and services. To determine costs and what documents must be brought to the appointment, click here.