The Undersecretary for North America, Carlos Sada Solana, was in Orlando, Florida from August 24-25 to forge closer ties with key Florida actors.
Undersecretary Sada took part in the “Know Your Rights” workshop given in the Tzotzil language by community leaders in Tampa. He also gave birth certificates to the U.S.-born children of Mexicans from Chiapas and Hidalgo.
The Undersecretary acknowledged the University of Central Florida for helping DACA youths continue their studies in the United States and he increased the collaboration between the university and the Mexican government through the IME Scholarship program.
To strengthen the government’s political ties, Undersecretary Sada met with Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer; Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings; and State Representatives Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado. The Undersecretary and the Florida officials acknowledged the valuable contributions made by the Mexican community to the state and the importance of our economic ties.
Lastly, the Undersecretary chaired the meeting of Mexico’s consuls in the southeastern United States. The Mexican consuls in Atlanta, Little Rock, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Raleigh and Puerto Rico discussed the current situation of the Mexican community in their areas and ways to strengthen consular protection.
In 2016, bilateral trade between Mexico and Florida totaled USD 8.6 billion. 5.4% of Florida’s total worldwide exports go to Mexico and more than 290,000 jobs depend on the state’s trade with Mexico.