Carson City school district, officials host Mexican Consulate

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and Carson City School District hosted a community meeting with the Consulate of Mexico (Las Vegas) on Sunday at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church to address some key immigration issues.

Officials hoped the conversation would help alleviate recent concerns about immigration, along with possible impacts on the school system.

“I think it was extremely well-received by the community, by the Latino community, and I think the community was very appreciative of the leaders being here talking to them and expressing their concerns,” Carson City School Board member Lupe Ramirez told the Appeal. “We are all supposed to be working together … most importantly, they send their children to school because we want to educate their children.”

Carson City representatives included members of the school board, with Ramirez leading and joined by Superintendent Andrew Feuling, Sheriff Ken Furlong and Carson Mayor Lori Bagwell. They welcomed Mexican Consul holder Patricia Cortés, Las Vegas immigration attorney Adriana Pereyra of Integrity Law Firm in Las Vegas and Adriana Villareal-Buenfil, Consul for Protection and Legal Affairs.

The Las Vegas consulate is one of 53 currently in the U.S. to support nationals by providing documentation, educational opportunities, health guidance and criminal or administrative needs. Cortes said mentorships and scholarships are available for students pursuing higher education opportunities, along with services for women who have worked to support their families or open businesses.

“We want you to feel we’re here to support you and help you,” she told community members.

Members from St. Teresa and the community presented questions about recent announcements on Douglas County’s proposed immigration enforcement plan.

ENFORCEMENT CONFUSION

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had been the only Nevada agency to participate in ICE’s Warrant Service Officer Model of Section 287(g). The federal agreement with state and local law enforcement agencies provides designated officers legal authority to carry out civil immigration warrants within detention facilities.

The DCSO, in a February news release, clarified previous reports and stated it did not enter into the Task Force Model of the 287(g). That model authorizes deputies to verify immigration status or allow raids, street-level checks or target persons based on perceived immigration status.

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong on Sunday confirmed his department would not sign any agreements.

“We have no plan to enter any agreements at this time with immigration,” Furlong said. “We have a strong relationship with them.”

Pereyra said it’s important for families to understand their constitutional rights and keep calm if they’re questioned or detained by law enforcement. Forming a plan of action helps, which often means asking to speak to an attorney, cooperating with a police officer if or when they’re pulled over on the street and knowing who can take care of their children. It’s also important to receive the proper information from proper sources, she said.

“Be united as a community,” Pereyra said. “This is what’s going to keep us well together to keep our situation normal.”

Patricia Cortés, Mexican Consul holder, speaks to community members about documentation and other services.

 

CARSON SCHOOLS

Bagwell thanked the community and asked them to continue sending their children to Carson’s schools.

“I want you all to know that your children are loved, and we want to care for them,” she said.

Cortes said it’s important for citizens to know their rights when applying for visas and accessing resources or contacts in their local schools for children.

“We want you to feel we’re here to help you and support you,” Cortes said.

After the discussion, Cortés told the Appeal she felt it was a positive outreach experience.

“I hope (many questions were answered) because that was one of our objectives — to make them feel that the consulate is with them,” Cortés said. “We are here to listen and to help out in any way that we can.”

Ramirez acknowledged the Consulate and local leaders for their guidance and support.

“Our families are so grateful to our local leaders for bringing the Mexican Consulate to Carson City to share information about their legal rights and to provide resources where they reach out for assistance,” Ramirez said. “I also noticed a sense of relief from the audience after the sheriff clarified some misconceptions.”