according to the nytimes, mexico recently opened its 47th consulate office in the u.s., this time in little rock, arkansas. over a dozen mexican consulates dot the border itself, and states like texas and california have over 10 consulates each. since mexican migrants (some legal, but specially undocumented workers) have spread out extensively throught the past few years reaching places like nebraska, minnesota and indiana, a flexible representational resource has followed. mexican consulates in the u.s. have gone beyond their usual stiff roles as places for mexican citizens to reach "in case of trouble with the law" or promoting binational business. in the void of general national policies -both mexican and u.s.- dealing with undocumented mexicans in the u.s., they have reached a pragmatic but very significant function. they work as midpoints, intermediaries, directly affecting (helping) the people they're supposed to, not only the affluent mexican jerkoffs on holidays that get in trouble for peeing on the unknown soldier's eternal flame and putting it out, lets say (btw, this actually happened, in paris, where another big mexican community of spoiled rich brats usually spends a year of their lives or so). anyway, the thing is that the consulates have become an efficient resource for illegal mexican immigrants through their "matrícula consular" cards, an i.d. that people with no papers (passports, visas, etc.) can solicit directly at their consulate. these cards are accepted as official i.d. in certain banks (through which they can open an account and transfer money back home and pay their bills), police departments and workplaces. now these and other basic outreach services are provided in places like omaha, raleigh, indianapolis, and even saint paul, minnesota.
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