Oh to get a Passport to travel to Mexico-What a headache!
A gentleman from our area called me to ask for my help. He needed to get Passports for his wife and daughter to be able to travel to Mexico to visit their family. This man's wife has a "Green Card' and is a permanent resident of the United States. He had called everyone he could think of to get help and all he got was the run around, phone lines from Hell, Customer Service employees who did not speak English and he was upset. He was frustrated. He loves his wife and daughter and wants to get their passports so they can travel to Mexico. His wife speaks both Spanish and English.
This is what happened. I called my contacts in Washington and was told to communicate with the Mexican Embassy directly which I did. I had the privilege and honor of speaking with the Consular General, Mrs. Audrey Rivera. She was so wonderful, patient, and helpful. She gave me the number of the office in Philadelphia to call to get the information needed to get an appointment to get the Passports. This was my first call to her.
I called the number she gave me and I could not find anyone who spoke fluent understandable English so I had to hang up. I called back again and asked if I could speak with someone who spoke English and I finally got someone on the line. She told me what I needed, however, she could not help me with the appointment. The person that needed the Passport needed to call. I explained the situation to her and she could not help me. End of call. I called the number again in a few minutes and the same story and situation. I then called Mrs. Rivera back again and once again she was most empathetic, polite and helpful. She advised me to have this gentleman's wife call because she could speak Spanish and she could get the appointment, however, if all of our efforts failed, have her call her at the Mexican Embassy in Washington and she would speak with her and help her. So she called and she got the information for what she needed to get the passport but they would not give her an appointment. Now he is beside himself. I told him I will not GO AWAY or give up until I get him a Passport. Now I am assertive and am mad so I call this phone line from Hell again. I ask to speak with someone who speaks understandable English and I get someone on the phone. I plead with her for help and she agrees to help me because I informed her that the Consular General at the Mexican Embassy in Washington wanted us to be able to get this matter resolved. She agreed to make an "exception" for me this one time. Now we are finally getting somewhere. I say a quick Thank You God and continue the call. Finally, I get her the information and appointments she needs to get the Passports. I did a happy dance and then called this gentleman to give him the good news. Now his wife and daughter can get their Passports and go visit their family in Mexico, thanks to a truly wonderful woman, Mrs. Audrey Rivera, the Consular General at the Mexican Embassy in Washington.
Just so you know, when you have a problem getting a Passport, unless you are a dignitary to someone really important, you are on your own. If you can not communicate with the regional embassy or national embassy for the country and get an appointment to get a passport, you are out of luck. There is no one who can help you. If you ever have a similar problem or question regarding getting a Passport, contact me. I will try and help you as I did this gentleman and his family.
If you have any complaints, issues, problems, or concerns you would like to share with me and get help for with a company or government agency, please feel free to contact me personally or post your thoughts on my blog. I will respond to you personally regarding your post.
If you wish to contact me by e-mail my address is haroldsays@comcast.net. My phone number is (570) 341-6796.
I would be delighted to answer your question or address your issue or concern personally.
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