Oxnard Mexican consulate offers Moorpark residents free legal aid

The Mexican Consulate in Oxnard offers free immigration, legal and document services to more than 600,000 people of Mexican origin across three counties.

Ambassador Ricardo Santana Velázquez outlined those services at a Moorpark City Council meeting, the Moorpark Acorn reported. Velázquez, a Mexican diplomat with 45 years of experience, said he wanted local officials and residents to know about the resources as immigration enforcement remains a concern in Ventura County.

The consulate serves Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. About 386,000 of Ventura County's roughly 901,000 residents are of Mexican origin, or 42%, Velázquez said. Many are Indigenous farmworkers from Oaxaca and Guerrero.

All services are free. They include passports, consular identification cards, Mexican voting cards, birth certificates and assistance with Mexican citizenship and dual citizenship. For U.S.-born children with a Mexican parent, the consulate can provide information about obtaining Mexican citizenship. It also helps people pursuing U.S. citizenship who cannot afford certain costs.

The consulate's Protection and Legal Affairs Department provides free legal advice for criminal, family, civil, administrative, labor, immigration and human rights cases, according to 211 Ventura County. That includes help for people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

Velázquez also raised challenges facing farmworkers shut out of the U.S. financial system. Without a financial history, people struggle to get loans, rent apartments or buy vehicles, he said.

"We provide to them all the services to be in the legal system, to pay taxes and to meet all the regulations that are the law in the United States," Velázquez said.

Councilmember Dr. Antonio Castro thanked Velázquez, calling the consulate's regional presence "a real asset" for people affected by immigration enforcement. Councilmember Tom Means also thanked Velázquez for maintaining communication between Mexican and U.S. officials.

The Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard, established in August 1987, is located at 3151 W. Fifth St., Suite E-100. It is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and appointments are required. Mexican nationals can also call the Center for Information and Assistance for Mexicans at 520-623-7874 for 24-hour help with consular protection, immigration guidance and locating family members.