GUEST
Julian Adem, Mexican Consul
(Photo: Las Vegas Review Journal)
BY KATE SHEEHY -- The Mexican Consulate plays a crucial role in Las Vegas, assisting the nearly 500,000 Mexicans here. A new consul took the helm in early June. Julian Adem says he expects his office to be quite busy over the next several years.
Adem comes to Las Vegas from Mexico City. He held posts at other consulates in U.S. cities, but had never been to Nevada. He says he wasn’t sure what to expect because Mexicans do have the idea that Las Vegas is just a place to go have fun.
“But then I read all the reports about the Mexican community and how much it has grown, and also how the exchanges between Mexico and Nevada have grown, how many tourists actually come here to the state from Mexico,” says Adem.
The consulate will help implement a new law signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval last month, allowing immigrants in the country without legal residency to obtain driver’s privilege cards. Adem’s staff expects an influx of people to come in seeking identifying documents they need to be eligible for the card.
Adem says the consulate is also gearing up for the possible passage of immigration reform legislation. Part of this is working with community leaders to educate people about immigration fraud.
He says he hopes to build relationships between businesses in Nevada and Mexico. Adem also plans to encourage U.S. tourists to visit less known places in Mexico and bring more events to the city celebrating authentic Mexican culture.