Mexican consulate opens satellite office at Gateway International Bridge

BROWNSVILLE — U.S. and Mexican officials shook hands as they opened a satellite office of the Mexican consulate on the American side of Gateway International Bridge.

“This is a historical moment,” said Consul Rodolfo Quilatan. “This office will allow us to provide more efficient service to our Mexican nationals.”

Travelers at the border will have an official nearby to answer questions or provide help on issues that require the assistance of the Mexican government, Quilatan said.

Issuance of documents and Mexican passports will not be available at the satellite office. Those can be requested at the consulate itself in the 300 block of Mexico Boulevard, Brownsville.

The satellite office is the latest step taken by the two governments to provide better service to travelers, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director Michael Freeman. Recently, CBP established a service manager who is at the port of entry to assist travelers with issues and questions about travelling and entering the United States.

The new satellite office was established at the local level through a partnership between CBP and the Mexican consulate and took about a year to evolve from the planning stage to fruition, Freeman said. After CBP identified a possible space and the partnerships were established, local officials from both countries had to get approval from their respective governments.