Introduction

Established in 2002, the Consulate of Mexico in Indianapolis represents the government of Mexico to local, state, and federal authorities. This location serves Mexican nationals living in all counties of Indiana except those north of Warren, Tippecanoe, Carroll, Howard, Grant, Blackford, and Jay; all counties in Ohio except those north of Mercer, Auglaize, Hardin, Marion, Knox, Holmes, Tuscarawas, Carroll, and Jefferson; and all counties of Kentucky. It is the only consulate of any foreign government in Indiana.

History

The relationship between the governments of Mexico and Indiana predates the current consulate by more than 100 years. A consular office was formed in Indianapolis in 1907 when Mexican President, General Porfirio Diaz, appointed Colonel Russell B. Harrison as honorary vice-consul of Mexico. Russell was the son of the 23rd U.S. president,  Benjamin Harrison  and great-grandson of former Indiana Territory governor and 9th U.S. president, William Henry Harrison.

The vice-consul of Mexico’s role was to maintain foreign commercial interests and the protection of citizens of both countries, which included the roughly 44 foreign-born Mexicans living in Indiana. By 1916, there were 100 Mexicans living in Indianapolis. Most owned a business or engaged in other lines of work. Some attended the state’s colleges and universities as well.  

Harrison stepped down from his position in 1931. His resignation marked the end of the consular position in Indianapolis until the 21st century.  

In 1990, the Hispanic population in Indianapolis was at 7,681 (1.1 percent of the total population) with 4,113 claiming Mexican ancestry. Consulate services for this community were obtained by a consulate field representative from Chicago, hosted out of a mobile office at  El Centro Hispano (The Hispanic Center) located at 617 E. North Street.

Between 1990 and 2000, however, the city experienced a 294 percent growth in the Hispanic population, counting 30,636 people or 3.9 percent of the total population, with 21,053 claiming Mexican origins. Where one mobile office visit used to serve about 500 individuals, it now attracted well over 2,000 individuals. 

With a clear need for increased services, Governor Frank O’Bannon, Mayor Bart Peterson, and federal authorities, as well as local Mexican leaders, supported the establishment of the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis. In early 2002, the city of Indianapolis allotted 2,357 square feet of rent-free office space in Union Station as the new consulate’s temporary location. In May 2002, Sergio Aguilera became the consul and leader of Indiana’s first foreign consulate. This location served Mexican nationals living in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

In October 2010, the consulate purchased a 12,000-square-foot building in Fletcher Place at 331 S. East Street for $790,000. The purchase of this larger building was symbolic of the long-term commitment to Indianapolis and the aspiration to expand its services. With the continued growth of the Mexican population in Indianapolis, this decision proved visionary. By 2020, the population had expanded to 129,286, an increase of 94 percent since 1990.

The Mexico-Indiana Economic Relationship

The Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis actively participates with state officials and private enterprises in economic affairs, which has led to strong growth in trade between Mexico and Indiana in the past 10 years, with an average annual growth of 4.8 percent.

In 2020, Indiana imports of Mexican products accounted for $4.6 billion, and Indiana exports to Mexico accounted for $4.7 billion, reaching a total trade of $9.3 billion. Indiana ranked 16th among Mexico’s most important trade partners among U.S. states.

In 2021, Mexico was one of the Indianapolis MSA’s top export partners. It ranked fourth after Canada, Germany, and China, with $1 billion in exported goods.

Consulate Impact in Indianapolis

Since it was established in 2002, the Mexican Consulate of Indianapolis has worked with Mexican authorities, local authorities, and numerous partners to build lasting relationships that have improved the lives of both the Mexican and Hispanic/Latino communities across its geographical boundaries.

In its 20-plus years of existence, the consulate has worked to streamline its document-delivery service. Through a simplified process that has resulted in an average wait time of less than one hour, the consulate has issued more than 205,000 passports and 247,000 Mexican government ID cards. In 2016, the consulate received an award recognizing its excellence in providing documentation services.

The Community Affairs Department’s community windows have also proven successful. The consulate has provided financial advice to more than 17,000 people since October 2017. Through its diagnostic testing services, mobile clinics, and onsite health fairs, the consulate, in partnership with Eskenazi Health, has provided basic medical services to nearly 97,000 people.

Since its establishment in 2019, the consulate’s “Education Window” has benefited over 12,000 people, either online or in face-to-face activities. More than 62,000 books have been distributed to school districts in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky through its free textbook program. Almost 300 students have benefited from the consulate’s education offerings—earning high school, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The number of educational institutions that provide Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) scholarships has tripled.

Though less quantifiable, the Community Affairs Department’s exhibitions, culinary events, festivals, and observances of Mexican holidays celebrate the nation’s culture with everyone who lives in the Indianapolis area. They not only encourage Mexicans to maintain their culture of origin but also provide an opportunity to break down prejudices, enhance multiculturalism, and strengthen community ties.