The Salvadoran government responded to the complaints of immigrants in the United States and from January 25 began to implement new requirements in the passport process, a measure that facilitates the process to obtain the document in greatest demand in the consular network.
Since 2019, when it was implemented as a fundamental requirement that to obtain the passport the Unique Identity Document (DUI) had to be presented, the process became more cumbersome and expensive for immigrants, something that is now simplified in the 21 consulates on US soil .
According to the changes issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now the DUI is one more document to process the passport, not the indispensable requirement.
“It’s the best idea, because many people were rejected for not carrying the DUI,” reacted René Avelar, a native of Acajutla, who traveled 10 hours from Reno, in the state of Nevada, to process the passport in Los Angeles, and thanks to who had DUI in the past was able to complete his process.
In a post on Twitter, the Salvadoran consulate in Los Angeles disclosed that people over the age of 18 applying for a passport for the first time will have four options.
This means that if a person does not have a DUI, they can present their birth certificate along with the proof of no DUI (this procedure will be carried out at the consulate); Likewise, the identity card certification will be accepted along with the birth certificate; and also the naturalization sentence.
“It is good news, that comes to facilitate and help the community to get their passport; before it was very closed [el proceso] and with the pandemic the situation was worse, “said Teresa Tejada, executive director of the Association of Salvadorans in Los Angeles (Asosal).
In the opinion of Óscar Gil, president of the El Salvador Independence Parade (Defisal), this is a decision that will also impact the pockets of his compatriots.
“If they ask for the certification of the identity card and the birth certificate, it is easier to send it to ask, before people spent about $ 150 for everything, between the certificate, the DUI and the passport,” said the activist.
The authorities warn that to request a passport an appointment must be made online, through the site portalcitas.rree.gob.sv, where the names of the offices and the available hours appear.
Since November 23, all consulates in the United States have been working from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 8 pm; Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm; and on Sundays from 8 am to noon.
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