Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Claudia Ruiz Massieu, was a special visitor to Tucson on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 as she participated in the inauguration celebration for the Mexican Consulate’s new offices. Ruiz Massieu also met with representatives of the Mexican community, business leaders and local government officials, as well as Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.
During her visit, Ruiz Massieu noted Arizona’s strong economic relationship with Mexico, which includes Mexico’s being the state’s number one trading partner, and Mexican tourists spending more than $2 million in Arizona every year. “This unity should be promoted and strengthened as North American counties look to become more integrated to increase their competitiveness and productivity,” said Ruiz Massieu.
“We have to start thinking more about what we can do from an integrated perspective and less about what two different countries with two different ideas would do separately,” said added. “Part of that integration is free mobility for people in North America so Canada, the United States and Mexico can benefit from a shared human resources pool,” she added.
The consulate originally opened in Tucson in March 2015, and is also home to the newly launched Center for Information and Assistance to Mexicans, a call center that handles everything from inquiries on missing immigrants to passport requirements. “Along with the traditional services provided by the consulate, its role has expanded to providing education, training and other ways to empower the community,” said Ruiz Massieu.