Applications for dual citizenship at the Honduran Consulate in Charlotte have increased by more than 300 percent.
The latent threat of the deportation It is present today in the homes of undocumented immigrants, many of whom have children born in this country, and who are preparing to face the reality of having to return to their countries in the event of an eventuality.
One of the important things that undocumented parents must do is to have the documents of their children born in this country in good standing, and one of these procedures is to request registration of their dual nationality.
This is the case of the Hondurans, we interviewed the Consul Enrique Flores, from the Consulate General of Honduras in Charlotte, who told us that the process of registering dual nationality for minors has increased exponentially at his headquarters, as in the other 13 consulates from Honduras in the United States, since the new administration of President Trump began on January 20.
“We have noticed an interesting fact in recent weeks, the passport appointments have decreased, but the number of people who come to give their children dual nationality has skyrocketed,” the consul told Enlace Latino NC.
Related: Steps to make an appointment at the Honduran Consulate
Dual nationality registrations increase between 300% to 400%
We asked the consul why he thinks this is happening. He answered: “Because people are afraid, so many of them are registering their children in case they are returned to Honduras, because they know that if the children go there and are not registered as Hondurans, then obviously they will have to pay a fine once they are in the country.”
Consul Flores said that there are two types of registration for dual citizenship:
- For children from 0 to 6 months, it is free and immediate
- For children over six months of age, there is no age limit and the cost is $25. For this age range, the process begins at the consulate, but ends in Honduras.
“Both types of registrations have increased by about 300% to 400%. That’s a fairly high percentage,” said Consul Flores. “Before, there were about 10 requests per day, now there are about 30 to 40 requests per day,” he said.
“We have lived in North Carolina for 13 years and if we have to go to Honduras, we want them to have citizenship too. We worry about everything that is happening and that is why we are preparing ourselves,” said the mother, who preferred not to be identified. The family traveled from Raleigh to process the paperwork for their three children, all born in the United States.
How to prepare: North Carolina Immigration Guide
What documents are needed for dual nationality registration?
The Honduran father or mother by birth must appear at the nearest Honduran Consulate and request registration of the birth of their child.
You must fill out the form provided to you and present the following documents:
- El birth certificate son/daughter’s original
- A photocopy of the minutes
- Two passport size photographs
- Photocopy of the parents’ identity cards or passports
The consulate will issue a document that the interested party must present to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then to the National Registry of Persons of Honduras.
You can make an appointment with the nearest consulate by entering citaconsular.sreci.gob.hn
Visits to consular headquarters in Charlotte decrease by 30% to 35%
The consul also highlighted that the number of daily quotes has decreased. Previously, the consulate handled an average of 200 to 220 appointments per day, but in recent weeks the average has remained between 120 and 150 appointments.
“I imagine that people are afraid to travel here,” the official said.
They are safe in the Honduran consulates
Given the current situation, the consul emphasized that his compatriots are safe in the consular headquarters, thanks to international treaties that make them inviolable.
“I want to take this opportunity to make something clear: the consular headquarters is, according to the Vienna Treaty, an inviolable place, meaning that you can come without any problem. Nothing will happen to you here. You know that we are here to help you. Do not be afraid, go to the consulates,” urged Consul Flores.
Flores has told us in other interviews that they see people who come without an appointment every day, urgent cases passport applications and other procedures.
They are not going to make mobile consulates for the moment
Regarding the creation of mobile consulates in different regions of its jurisdiction, which includes North Carolina and South Carolina, to avoid Hondurans having to travel, Consul Flores indicated that this is a situation that is being analyzed by the Government of Honduras.
“It’s something we have to analyze very carefully, we’ll have to see if we’re in any danger,” he said.
Flores explained that his government must speak with the State Department to see if they authorize it.
“This is a new administration now, and all these types of activities are not done just like that. Remember that we are here as guests of the State Department, we are guests in a country that is not ours and we depend on permits and authorizations that they grant us,” he explained.
They have been notified of the arrest of two Hondurans with criminal records
We also asked Consul Flores if they have been contacted by immigration authorities or relatives of Hondurans detained in recent weeks.
“We have recently been contacted by authorities at the request of the people detained on a couple of occasions. They have not arrested anyone without a criminal record, at least in the case of Charlotte,” said the consul.
Flores said that in the case of Hondurans who are detained, they ensure that they are treated with dignity, and that they are not returned to inhumane conditions.
“They should not be sent in shackles, as they have been sent to other countries,” he noted.
Information from the Honduran Consulate in Charlotte
- Address: 5727 N Sharon Amity Road Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28215
- Contact: Email: Consuladodehondurascharlotte@gmail.com
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8: 00 am to 4: 00 pm
Related
PODCAST
The Impact of New Migration Policies
The Trump administration has changed the rules of the game and millions of immigrants face an uncertain outlook.
In the first episode of The compass, the podcast of Enlace Latino NC, we analyze the impact of these measures.
