Mexico launches plan to consult Mexicans living in US

The Mexican government is launching a plan to give Mexicans living in the United States a voice on national policy.

The Institute for Mexicans Abroad is planning to hold open-ended public consultation sessions from mid-March to mid-April in 13 U.S. cities. The forums will start on Sunday in San Francisco and end in Chicago on April 12 and New York on April 13.

The head of the Institute said Mexicans can participate whether they are long-time established migrants or recent arrivals without proper documents.

Head of the institute, Roberto Valdovinos says “these are 12 million countrymen whose voices have never been heard before at this level.”  The consultative forums will be held in San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno and Los Angeles, and also in the Texas cities of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. Phoenix and Tucson will also have dates.

The forums won't be yes-or-no votes, but rather a chance for Mexicans abroad to contribute ideas on Mexico's national development plan.