[SteveStromberg]

IF YOU ARE DETAINED, PAGES 14 - 15

Do not resist arrest.

Do not assault or insult the officer.

Do not throw stones or other objects at the officers nor at the patrol cars, because this is considered a form of provocation.

If the officers feel they've been assaulted they will probably use force to detain you.

Raise your hands slowly for them to see you're unarmed.

Do not carry or hold any objects that could be construed as weapons, such as: lanterns, screwdrivers, blades, knives or stones.

IF YOU ARE DETAINED, PAGE 16 / YOUR RIGHTS, PAGE 17

IF YOU ARE DETAINED

Don't run or try to escape.

Don't hide in dangerous places.

Don't cross freeways.

It's better for you to be detained for a few hours and be repatriated to Mexico than to get lost in the desert.

YOUR RIGHTS

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED, YOU HAVE RIGHTS!

Give your true name.

If you are a minor and are accompanied by an adult, tell the authorities so they do not separate you.

YOUR RIGHTS / YOUR RIGHTS, PAGES 18 - 19

Your rights are:

To know where you are.

To request to speak to the nearest Mexican Consulate representative in order to receive help.

Do not make statements or sign documents, especially if they are in English, without the aid of a defense attorney or Mexican Government Consulate representative.

To receive medical attention if you are injured or in poor health.

To receive respectful treatment regardless of your immigration status.

To be transported safely.

To have water and food when you need it.

You are not obligated to disclose your immigration status when you are detained.

YOUR RIGHTS, PAGES 20 - 21

To not be hit or insulted.

To not be held incommunicado.

In case they take away your personal effects, request a voucher in order to claim them when you are released.

If there is any violation of these rights, it's important for you to inform your attorney or Mexican Consulate representative that visits you or even the nearest Delegation of the Secretariat of Foreign Relations within Mexico.

If you wish more information and you live in Texas or in Ciudad Acuņa, Coahuila, tune in to "The Powerful Station" at AM 1570.

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED / DETAINED, PAGES 22 - 23

IF YOU ARE ARRESTED / DETAINED

If you already were sentenced for some crime or you are facing criminal prosecution an a jail, you have the following rights:

To not be discriminated against by the police, the courts or prison authorities.

To receive visits from consular officials and family members.

To receive appropriate legal counsel without conditions or obstructions.

If you being criminally prosecuted and have not yet been sentenced, ask your attorney or consular representative what the "Plea Agreement" consists of.

Do not plead guilty without first consulting your attorney about the possibilities of winning your case if you go to trial.

It's important they you know the laws of the American state where you live and work, since each state's laws are different. Bear in mind the following information:

If you drink don't drive, since if you do not have papers you can be detained and deported [a bit of INFOMUNDO editorializing here: no word about maiming or killing yourself or others as a drunk driver!].

If a legal resident is cited more than two times for drunk driving, he can be deported.

Do not drive without a driver's license.

Observe traffic signs and signals and use your seatbelt.

Do not drive without auto insurance nor drive an unknown vehicle.

[THINGS TO] AVOID, PAGES 24 - 25

Do not pick up strangers.

If you commit some traffic violation and are detained by the police, place your hands on the steering wheel and do not get out of the car until the officer requests you to do so.

Avoid calling attention to yourself, at least while you are arranging your residence papers to live in the United States.

The best formula is not to alter your routine of going between work and home.

Avoid noisy parties because the neighbors can get upset and call the police, and you could be arrested.

Avoid fighting.

If you go to a bar or night club and a fight starts, leave immediately, since in the confusion you could be arrested even if you did not do anything wrong.

Avoid family or domestic violence. As in Mexico, it is a crime in the United States.

[THINGS TO] AVOID, PAGES 26 - 27

Domestic violence does not consist solely of hitting others but also can be threats, shouting or mistreatment.

If you are accused of domestic violence against your children, your mate or someone else who lives with toy, you could go to jail. In addition, Child Protective Services authorities could take away your children.

Do not carry firearms, bladed weapons or other dangerous objects.

Keep in mind that many Mexicans have died or are in prison because of these things.

If the police enters your house or apartment, do not resist, but ask to see a search warrant. It's better to cooperate and ask to speak to the nearest Mexican Consulate.

CONSULATES, PAGES 28 - 29

The Secretariat of Foreign Relations has 45 consular representatives within the U.S and on its southern border, which are designed to help you. Remember: if you have been detained or are serving a sentence, you have the right to speak with the nearest Mexican Consulate. Always carry your "Guide to Consular Protection" with you at all times.

Get Near to the Consulate...

Embrace Mexico.

It's your home, fellow countryman!

- Secretariat of Foreign Relations

- General Administration of Protection and Consular Matters.

CONSULATES OF MEXICO IN THE UNITED STATES, PAGES 29 - 30

List of U.S. Cities and phone numbers.

STATES - [MEXICAN] STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICES - DIRECTORY OF OFFICES GIVING ATTENTION TO MIGRANTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO, PAGES 31 - END

List of Mexican cities and phone numbers.

BOX ON LAST PAGE:

This consular protection guide is not promoting the crossing [of the border] of Mexicans without legal documentation required by the government of the United States; its objective is to make known the risks implied and to inform about the rights of migrants regardless of their legal residence.