Institute for Mexicans Abroad: A Strategy of the Government of Mexico to Provide Assistance to the Diaspora Regional Seminar on Integration Policies for Immigrants, Refugees, and Returned Migrants San José, Costa Rica, February 22-23, 2012 Regional Conference on Migration Alexia Núñez Bachmann Sub-Director for Inter-institutional Links Institute for Mexicans Abroad

 The Mexican diaspora is the third largest worldwide, after China and India. Concentration: 95%-98% of the Mexicans abroad live in the United States 59% of them live in 2 states (38% in California and 21% in Texas) Phenomenon of Dispersion: Nevada, Mississippi, Nebraska, Arkansas, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska Figures: 31.8 million persons of Mexican origin live in the US  12 million were born in Mexico  3.2 million are permanent legal residents 2 Why an Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME)?

 Programme for Mexican Communities Abroad: The first institutional programme to reach out to the Mexican diaspora was established in  Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME): In 2003 the programme turns into the Institute, a decentralized unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), with two main characteristics: An Advisory Council, composed of representatives of the community of Mexicans abroad, independent from the government and elected by the communities. Led by a migrant leader. What is the Institute for Mexicans Abroad? 3

To promote the integration and empowerment of migrants in the receiving society and, at the same time, to develop the links with their country of origin. To support the organization, cohesion, and consolidation of communities to enable them to participate in the political sphere and make their interests known. To design effective and viable public policies to improve the living conditions of migrants and their families. To strengthen the link between migration and development in order to increase the economic and social contributions of migrants in their communities of origin and destination. What are the objectives of IME? 4

How does IME work?  IME operates through diplomatic and consular representatives of Mexico around the world:  70 Consulates (55 in North America) – Consul of Community Affairs  73 Embassies  Primary Spheres of Action: 1) To establish a network of networks:  Advisory Council (500 members – 4 generations)  Information Campaigns (90)  “Ohtli” Award (382)  Talent Network (16 Chapters: US, Canada, Europe, and Asia)  Networks in Mexico 5

 Primary Spheres of Action: 2) To inform, promote, and disseminate:  “Lazos” (Bonds) newsletters (more than 16,000 subscribers)  “Salas de Espera” (Waiting Room) Programmes (41 screens at Consulates in the US)  Promoting the vote of Mexicans abroad  Statistics of Mexicans abroad 3) To help increase the quality of life through programmes in the following areas:  Education and culture  Health and sports  Economic development and financial education How does IME work? 6

IME Programmes: Education 1) Inter-institutional coordination to promote education programmes at 3 levels: Basic: Community Places (398 in the US) Collaboration with the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) and local organizations (churches, schools, community centres, prisons) Primary, secondary, high school General Education Diploma (GED) English and computing Promoting long-distance education programmes, high school and college education 2) Providing information and advice to students and parents: Education Windows (Chicago and LA)

IME Programmes: Education 3) Allocating resources to promote access to education institutions for Mexicans in the US: IME Scholarship Programme: Created in 2005 – the Mexican Government allocates 10 million Pesos each year. More than 500 beneficiary organizations and support for more than 30,000 students. Operated at a local level by consulates, establishment of a local selection committee to allocate resources according to the needs of the community: Adult education Certification of labour competencies Higher education Fund-raising, transitioning to a 3 x 1 scheme: Government + academic institutions + enterprises and foundations 8

IME Programmes: Health  HEALTH WINDOWS: o The Secretariat of Health and local institutions (community clinics, universities) operate these Health Windows at the Consulates of Mexico in the US. o Objective: To provide guidance Mexicans about access to health care and to provide information on preventative health. o Established in 2003 with 2 Health Windows in Los Angeles and San Diego. Currently 50 Health Windows are operating – one at each Consulate in the US (a mobile scheme). Referral to clinics, health centres, or hospitals to receive health care at low cost, irrespective of the migration status of the person. Health education on the most common diseases affecting immigrant populations of Hispanic origin. Pre-registration (online) in the Popular Insurance in Mexico for migrants and their families in Mexico. Vaccination, blood pressure tests, HIV tests, glucose tests, dental care. 9

IME Programmes: Economic Development 1) FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME: Providing information and tools to enable migrants to manage their resources: o Agreements between banks and consulates: 400 banks accept Consular Registration in the US (a first step to enable them to access regular services and manage their resources). 2) Information dissemination and guidance: Workshops, information campaigns, financial education fairs, and the First Week of Financial Education in the US (March 2012). 3) 2) 3 X 1 PROGRAMME FOR MIGRANTS: To be able to submit a project, this has to be done through a club of native citizens or a federation of migrants. This promotes community organization in an indirect manner. 2) To channel remittances toward productive projects. o 10

Training Workshops and Leadership Education o Several workshops have been held in the US: Washington, Houston, NY, San Francisco, Chicago. o Together with the American Jewish Committee: Learning from actions implemented by the Jewish community to integrate and channel their interests. o Objective: Capacity-building for community leaders who are Mexican or of Mexican origin, with the aim of having an impact on opinion builders, local officials, and the community and promoting a better understanding of the contributions of migrants in the US. o Participants receive tools to implement specific actions promoting integration into the communities. o 10

13  Strategic alliances for operating: Public and private institutions that are experts on the matter (IME coordinates promotion actions abroad). Local partners addressing the topics: Third countries (Latin America – Bi-national Health Week). Flexible cooperation schemes within an established framework of action. Considering the specific needs of the community. Adaptability. Synergy of the concepts of integration and empowerment. Successes of the Integration Programmes

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