MEXICAN TRAVELERS REJECTED IN SPAIN

Regarding the recent media coverage about the difficulties Mexicans have encountered in entering Spain, the Foreign Ministry states:

Mexico respects the immigration policies of other countries, given that this is their sovereign right. However, there has been a disturbing increase in the number of Mexican travelers who have been refused entry at the airports in Madrid and Barcelona, detained and repatriated to Mexico, allegedly because they do not meet certain administrative requirements of the Spanish government. This clearly does not reflect the excellent friendship and cooperation that exist between Mexico and Spain.

Therefore, the Mexican government has raised the issue with Spain at a high level, especially during the 10th Mexico-Spain binational commission meeting that was closed by Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa in Madrid last week.

Mexico has repeatedly and through various channels expressed to the Spanish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior the need to find a solution to this problem. Most of the Mexicans are in Spain for tourism, academics, business or to visit family, and the requirements should not be necessary.

As a result, Spain offered to urgently address this issue in order to find a viable solution and avoid more unjustified detentions at the airports. The Foreign Ministry is following up on this commitment.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry has asked airlines and travel agencies to inform travelers to Spain about the immigration requirements to avoid any potential problems. The immigration requirements have also been published in the “Travelers’ Guide” on the Foreign Ministry’s website: http://guiadelviajero.sre.gob.mx/.

The consular section of the Mexican embassy in Spain and the consulate in Barcelona have, and will continue to, provided all necessary consular assistance to Mexicans who request it.

It is a priority for the Mexican government to protect the interests of its citizens abroad and ensure that their rights are respected, without prejudging the merits of the decisions of foreign authorities. The Foreign Ministry hopes that Spain finds a prompt and adequate resolution to this issue.