The U.S. State Department

For the latest security information from the U.S. State Department, surf to the Department’s travel web site and read their Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.  They will scare the holy ‘shite’ out of you.  You can also call (toll free) 1-888-407-4747 in the United States, or, when in Mexico, dial 001-202-501-4444 – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET weekdays (closed on any and all U.S. federal holidays, of course).

Traveling outside the U.S. is always more dangerous than staying at home.  Always – no exceptions.  More dangerous. 

Fact is, the Homeland is safe.  The World is not.  Be very cautious.

If you find you need help from the United States government (we pay our taxes!), the Department of Foreign Assistant is where to start when in-country.  Today, 12/08, the Director is Henrietta H. Fore.  

OVERSEAS CITIZENS SERVICES: Call 1-888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444) for answers related to questions concerning the:

•          Death of an American citizen abroad

•          Arrest/detention of an American citizen abroad

•          Robbery of an American citizen abroad

•          American citizens missing abroad

•          Crisis abroad involving American citizens

•          After-hours number for an emergency involving an American citizen abroad

OFFICE OF CHILDREN’S ISSUES:

Call 1-888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202 501-4444) for answers related to questions concerning:

•          International parental child abduction

•          Intercountry adoption

•          Recorded information on custody and adoptions

•          Denial of passports to minors in certain circumstances such as abductions

Consulates and embassies can often help with simple issues,  such as advice on getting personal medicine perscriptions refilled by a certified doctor or pharmacist, or complex, such as involvement in any crime, emergency medical issues (after calling the Mexican equivelent of 911.  In Baja California, it’s 066) or emmigration questions.  The head of the State Department will be, of course, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

U.S. Consulates:

Ciudad Juarez (52) (656) 227-3000

Guadalajara: (52) (333) 268-2100

Hermosillo: (52) (662) 289-3500

Matamoros: (52) (868) 812-4402

Mérida: (52) (999) 942-5700

Monterrey: (52) (818) 345-2120

Nogales: (52) (631) 311-8150

Nuevo Laredo: (52) (867) 714-0512

Tijuana: (52) (664) 622-7400

Tijuana Consulate’s 24 hr. line (619) 692-2154 US 

Binational Emergency Assistance (619) 425-5080

[pre-register] (U.S. private non-profit) 

Consular Agencies:

ACAPULCO: (52) (744) 484-0300 OR (52) (744) 469-0556

CABO SAN LUCAS: (52) (624) 143-3566

CANCÚN: (52) (998) 883-0272

CIUDAD ACUÑA: (52) (877) 772-8661

COZUMEL: (52)(987) 872-4574

IXTAPA/ZIHUATANEJO: (52) (755) 553-2100

MAZATLÁN: (52)(669) 916-5889

OAXACA: (52)(951) 514-3054 (52)(951) 516-2853

PIEDRAS NEGRAS: (878) 782-5586

PLAYA DEL CARMEN: (52)(984) 873-0303

PUERTO VALLARTA: (52)(322) 222-0069

REYNOSA: (52)(899) 923 – 9331

SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: (52)(444) 811-7802/7803

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE: (52)(415) 152-235 OR (52)(415) 152-0068

~ by Paul O'Sullivan on December 17, 2008.