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The U.S. Consulate, when notified by local authorities of the arrest of an American citizen, will visit the detained person within 24 hours and at least once every quarter during his incarceration. Upon learning of an American’s arrest, the Consulate seeks to visit the citizen to insure there has been no abuse or mistreatment, inform him of his right to legal counsel, provide him with a list of attorneys from which he may select legal counsel at his own expense, and to obtain personal data which will assist the Consulate in communicating with family or friends who may be able to provide financial and other assistance.
THE CONSULATE CAN DO THE FOLLOWING:
• Provide a list of local attorneys or contact an attorney selected by the accused.
• Contact relatives or friends to notify them of the citizen’s case, if authorized by the prisoner.
• Relay requests to family and friends for money or other aid.
• Write to relatives about the citizen’s well-being.
• Accept funds as a trust fund deposit and dispense them as instructed by the citizen or the remitter.
• Work with prison officials to ensure fair and humane treatment consistent with that granted to Mexican nationals and ensure Americans are afforded due process under Mexican law.
• Protest mistreatment.
THE CONSULATE CANNOT:
• Represent a U.S. Citizen at trial, give legal advice or pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds.
• Intervene with the due process of law.
• Provide medical treatment except in cases of dire emergency.
• Run errands for the prisoner.
PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP
In order to receive consular services, each prisoner must prove that he is a U.S. citizen. This can be most easily accomplished by presenting to the visiting consular officer or having relatives send the Consulate a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate and original identification, or U.S. passport, certificate of U.S. citizenship or U.S. Naturalization certificate.
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