NBA teams visit Monterrey

The U.S. Consulate General Monterrey along with the National Basketball Association (NBA) collaborated to organize two outreach events in conjunction with the preseason exhibition game between the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers, held in Monterrey on October 18, 2009.  The events were organized as part of the NBA Cares Program, the league's social responsibility initiative.  [full story]

Warden Message
U.S. Consulate Monterrey
October 14, 2009

This Warden Message alerts U.S. citizens to the latest information regarding human cases of 2009-H1N1 influenza, sometimes referred to as novel H1N1 or swine flu. Nationwide, the Mexican Secretariat of Health (SALUD) reports 39,489 H1N1 cases and 255 deaths since the virus emerged last spring.  Currently, a second major wave of AH1N1 is affecting the country's northern states, where case numbers were low during the initial outbreak. However, Chiapas, Mexico City and Yucatan still claim the highest number of overall suspected and confirmed cases. Mexican authorities have launched a public awareness campaign and are working to increase testing lab capacity and knowledge of the disease.  The Government of Mexico is working to acquire vaccinations for H1N1.  American citizens are advised to monitor local news and SALUD announcements for updates on vaccine availability.

Travelers can expect screening for flu-like symptoms upon entry and exit from Mexico.  If you are quarantined or placed in isolation due to 2009-H1N1 influenza, please contact the Consulate General at the number below and let us know, so we can monitor your situation.  However, please be aware that the Consulate General cannot demand your immediate release if you have been detained or quarantined in accordance with local public health and legal authorities.

[read complete message]

U.S. Government to Construct a New Consulate Compound

Monterrey, N.L. MEXICO October 1, 2009 --- The U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey announces the award of a US$101.9 million contract to build a new Consulate Compound that, as of 2012, will host the U.S. Government's consular operations in the Monterrey region. 

The project consists of a consulate building, three compound access control facilities, parking garage, recreation facility, vehicle maintenance facility, and a mail screening facility.  The new Compound will provide a safe, secure, and functional facility for the Consulate's 232 staff members.

The 10.2 acre site, located in the municipality of Santa Catarina was acquired from a corporate owner, Inversiones DD, SA de CV, in 2008.

The new Consulate Compound will replace the currently leased facility located at 411 Avenida Constitucion in Monterrey, which has been occupied by the United States Government since 1969. 

The new Monterrey Consulate Compound will be the third major project undertaken by U.S. Department of State in Mexico in the last 10 years. The Department of State completed construction of the Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez in November 2008, and will complete construction of the Consulate General in Tijuana in May 2010.

The proposed completion date for the Monterrey compound is December 2012.

The Deadline is near for voluntary disclosures

the deadline for making a voluntary disclosure under the IRS' special USB/International effort is almost here.   October 15, 2009 is the current deadline for taxpayers to take advantage of some incentives offered by the IRS to encourage them to come forward to report previously unreported income and ownership of foreign bank accounts. The IRS initiated a voluntary disclosure program for people who need to file original or amended FBAR reports for earlier tax years.

People who have or had bank accounts and other financial accounts abroad and/or desire to participate in the special IRS voluntary disclosure process should should seek advice from a well qualified accountant or attorney when deciding how to file their late FBARs.  A taxpayer may call the phone number associated with the Country in which they reside. See Contact IRS About Voluntary Disclosure. (Updated 7/29/09)

U.S Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual Visits Monterrey

Monterrey, NL September 4, 2009 --- U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Carlos Pascual arrived in Monterrey on Wednesday to participate in the Border Governors Conference. Ambassador Pascual was received by U.S. Consul General Bruce Williamson and greeted by his staff in a private meeting at the Consulate. Later in the day, Ambassador Pascual and Consul General Williamson visited Nuevo Leon Governor Jose Natividad Gonzalez Paras and met with members of the business community. On Thursday, Ambassador Pascual participated in the Opening Ceremony of the Border Governors Conference at the Camino Real Hotel. [Read More] Remarks by Ambassador Carlos Pascual during Opening Ceremony of the Border Governors Conference (as prepared)

 

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Travel Alert

This information is current as of Fri Aug 21 08:25:27 2009.

Mexico

August 20, 2009

The Department of State has issued this Travel Alert to update security information for U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico.  It supersedes the Travel Alert for Mexico dated February 20, 2009, and expires on February 20, 2010.

While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including tens of thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased.  It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and who to contact if one becomes a crime victim.  Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where prostitution and drug dealing might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable. [More]

North American Leaders Summit August 9-10

Washington — The leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States will meet in August to discuss security, economic and trade policies, health issues and regional challenges like the political crisis in Honduras, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said July 16.

The annual summit will be held August 9–10 in Guadalajara, Mexico, and will involve Mexican President Felipe Calderón, who is hosting the summit, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Obama. The leaders’ summit was created in March 2005 and is held annually.

[More]

LATEST NEWS ON THE NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS SUMMIT:

- Joint statement by North American leaders

- North American Leaders Summit: Energy Deliverables

- North American Leaders' Declaration on H1N1

- North American Leaders' Declaration on Climate Change and Clean Energy

Land and Sea Phase of WHTI Takes Effect June 1

Mexico City, May 19, 2009 – The U.S. Embassy would like to remind the public that the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will enter in effect on June 1, 2009. WHTI requires all travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI applies to all who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.

The U.S. Embassy strongly urges all U.S. citizens currently in Mexico who do not have a passport or WHTI-compliant documents such as a passport card or a Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST) or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) to apply for a passport in the near future as they will need one to enter or re-enter the United States after June 1.
Standardized, secure and reliable documentation will enable Customs and Border Protection officers to quickly and accurately identify travelers at land and sea ports of entry, resulting in a more secure and efficient border. WHTI went into effect for air travel in 2007.

Document requirements for Mexican citizens are not impacted by WHTI. All Mexican nationals, including children, are currently required to present a passport with a nonimmigrant visa or a laser visa Border Crossing Card to cross the U.S. border. This requirement applies to SENTRI program members as well.

For more information on WHTI and the types of documents for land, air and sea travel, please visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/.  For general information on WHTI or other travel-related programs, please visit www.travel.state.gov.