LEGAL
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Immigration
Requirements Because
of recent implementations of certain rules by Immigration, there have been
many complaints about these new requirements. Most of these requirements
have always been in the rules; they were just never enforced. If you relax
the rules too much, you may be in trouble. Also, the age old saying “That
the very few ruin it for the many” also applies to these tougher requirements. The
toughest implementation that Immigration has started to enforce is the certification
of official documents such as Marriage Certificates or Licenses. For Immigration
to now accept these documents, US citizens must have them Apostilled by
the State Department in which State they were issued. Canadian citizens
must have them certified by one of the Mexican Consulates in Canada. This
also applies to divorce decrees, birth certificates and diplomas. It’s rare
that Immigration requires these actual documents, but other Mexican departments
may require them at some time, so be prepared. Now
you want to know why these are required? It is due to the few individuals
that come down with fake documentation and try to have their identities
changed. Another
tough one for some is that Immigration requires original bank statements
from the bank, not photocopies, faxes, or Internet prints. Mexico wants
you to prove you have enough funds in the bank, or coming in monthly to
sustain yourself her in Mexico while you live here. This is to prove you
are not another strain on this country. Now this is difficult for some as
their statements are mailed to an address they may have up north, or some
have cancelled the printed copies mailed out all together. Copies, faxes
and Internet prints can be so easily altered, especially with a little knowledge
of computers. Again, a few people have faked the minimum monthly income
by alteration, so Immigration is cracking down. So remember to make the
necessary adjustments to have these originals in your possession. Immigration
also requires that all pages in your passport be photocopied. The Immigration
Officials want to see if you have ever been denied entry into another country,
which would raise a red flag. Then that particular individual would be investigated
to find out why they had been refused entry to that country. Another
requirement Immigration has started to enforce is proof of residency, even
for renewals. This is so Immigrations records are up to date in case they
need to contact you. The need for Immigration to contact you is rare, but
just in case they need to find you, they’ll know where to look. This requirement
can be an original phone or electric bill, deed, or lease. Some
of us may be leery of giving up originals of anything, but keep in mind
that Immigration does not keep any originals other than the forms you must
fill out. They will keep copies your original documents, sometimes 3 copies
of each. This is where everyone draws a blank as to why they need so many
of each item. We are assured that these are the rules from higher up. Because
the new Delegation now in charge of Immigration is following the proper
guidelines laid out for them, it adds time to the whole process of your
migratory status. So lets all be patient, and enjoy the real reasons we
are all here in Mexico. Just because your migratory documents are with Immigration,
it does not make you illegal here. Adriana Perez Flores |