Mexicans living in Alaska will soon have to travel out of state to receive services from the Consulate of Mexico, but a group is petitioning to keep the Anchorage office open.
KTVA-TV reports that the consulate plans to close its doors in November, citing economic issues and a lack of participation. However, Anchorage community leader Daniel Esparza is finding signatures to stop the move.
Esparza says nearly 4,000 Mexicans in Alaska receive services at the consulate annually. So far he has collected nearly 900 signatures.
He says the consulate doesn’t just benefit people from Mexico as other Latin American residents also use the office as a resource.
A representative from the consulate in Seattle will be in Anchorage on Thursday to discuss the closure.
