Mexican Consulates all over the U.S. are now providing Mexican nationals with birth certificates. The change comes after President Obama's executive action that would prevent some undocumented adults from deportation. That program is believed to be similar to the deferred action for children.
In the past, birth certificates for Mexican nationals came from relatives back home, and the process normally took weeks, if not months.
Though specifics of the deferred action program for adults are still unknown, especially because the program is being challenged both in court and by Congress, it's still believed birth certificates would be one of the documents people would need.
Friday was the first day birth certificates were available at the Mexican Consulate in Austin, and dozens of people showed up asking how to get one.
Concepcion Picasso and her husband were there. She's a nanny, and he's in charge of maintenance at an apartment complex. Both took the day off from work to get their birth certificates. They want to have their paperwork ready in case the deferred action goes forward.
Picasso said she and her husband have been here for twelve years and have two girls. The girls are American.
Since the Picassos have American children and have been here more than a decade, they seem to be the perfect candidates for deferred action.
Through printed statements, the government of Mexico has said this new development of providing birth certificates has nothing to do with Obama's deferred action. They call it a "happy coincidence."
