Dear Editor,
Consular services have been playing a major role of governments in response to the effects of migration and the resulting establishment of diasporas worldwide. Consulates no longer restrict their role to visa and passport renewal and basic services. They now have multifunctional responsibilities that include safeguarding the interests and working closely with the diaspora to strengthen their economic, cultural, and political links with the homeland as well as in promoting their country overseas and lobbying governments.
Visits to the Guyana New York (Manhattan) Consulate and attendance at its outreaches around the greater New York region found positive response from attendees seeking varied services. Guyana’s New York Consulate services stand out among hundreds of consulates in NY. Guyana is the only country to offer community outreaches to her diaspora to access desired services. Generally, people visit consulates (embassies) to seek or access services. In Guyana’s case, her Consulate goes to the people – a concept conceived by VP Jagdeo, President Irfaan, and Foreign Minister Hugh Todd — to various locations where concentrations of the diaspora dwell (reside or settled) to provide them services. Off course, services are (and the bulk of it is) also accessed in person at the Manhattan location. Similar services are provided in Washington and Miami (Ft. Lauderdale), but NY is the main attraction for consular services for the bulk of Guyanese.
The number of Guyanese, coming to USA since the early 1960s, or people of Guyanese origin in USA is not exactly known, but it is approximately over a million, more than the population of Guyana. Many hide their identity, including with those with legal status, fearing ICE or of being picked up by immigration officials. So more than half don’t return census forms to be identified by nation of origin or ethnicity. Guyanese are dispersed all over the USA, but the bulk can be found in the NY/New Jersey region and Florida (Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale area); large numbers are also in Dallas, Minneapolis, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, among other locations. Hundreds of thousands of Guyanese are also in Canada and United Kingdom. The NY CG is building human resource capacity and improving physical environment in order to meet the ever-increasing demand for services from Guyana’s largest diaspora.
Consular services are of immense importance to the Guyanese abroad, in fact of nationals of any country, and services tend to be multi-dimensional. Consular services in USA (and beyond) for any country become indispensable for the growth and development of the country not only in providing services to nationals but to lure (woo) and encourage investment. In Guyana’s case, her consulates are not only committed to its nationals abroad by catering to all their needs while away from home but also to promote Guyana in the host country and among its politicians. Our consular diplomacy goes beyond protecting the rights and interests and servicing of citizens; it also contributes to building long-lasting ties between Guyana and the USA by hosting and participating in a number of activities related to Guyana’s and America’s national interests. The consulate brings Guyanese and Americans closer together to socialize and to explore joint ventures in both countries. The communists, left wingers, and anti-Americans oppose close ties with USA but those fools don’t understand geo-politics and the power of Washington.
Guyana Consular services (around the USA) stand out as a crucial thread that connects the Guyana government with its diaspora. The office in Manhattan, or New York City, is the largest and most active for obvious reasons; over 60% of the USA based diaspora live in the region. And the Consulate (presumably like the others) maintains very close engagement with the diaspora providing them (as well as non-Guyanese) a variety of services (addressing all thinkable needs) not only at the office but also in outreaches in the greater area.
At a recent outreach in Queens, the Consular General (CG), Ambassador Michael Brotherson, in addressing the public, said his office is committed to Guyanese regardless where they reside. He said the CG use every possible and feasible opportunity to take government to the people. The office is accessible to provide a variety of services including in emergencies. The CG said that the mission of the Consulate is addressing the welfare and needs of the diaspora. He stressed that no one who sought services or any form of assistance is turned away regardless of the issue. He noted that everyone’s issue, regardless of its nature, is addressed. And he assured that no appointment is required to meet the Consul General. Ambassador Brotherson said that members of the CG are found at public events organized by community organizations. He mentioned that there is streamlining of various miscellaneous consular services.
In visits to the office and at outreaches, one is amazed at the quick response of staff in providing services to the public (diaspora) and or in addressing their needs. It is also heartening to observe that the consulate has staff who are service and people oriented, in contradistinction with staff at many Ministries in Guyana. The NY staff is in full line with the objective of the mission of the Guyana government of serving the people. And they seem amply trained in that mission. Ambassador Brotherson said he is simply continuing the mission enunciated by President Ali of serving the people efficiently and building on the concept of “One Guyana” where everyone is treated respectfully and equally. No one is denied services.
Guyana Consulate General (CG) offers a variety of services for Guyanese citizens (and or people of Guyanese descent) in USA including emergency aid, passport and or travel document help, document attestation (Power of Attorney, birth, marriage, death certificates), liaison for legal issues, assistance with wills, oaths, and affidavits, promoting trade, shipping information, services relating to education, inheritance, properties, pensions, passport renewal, and general support for citizens in distress, among others. The CG has streamlined interaction with key agencies in Guyana to offer critical services pertaining to NIS, Immigration, Registrar General’s Office, among others to ensure real time responses and fast-tracking matters.
Consular services also include fostering business ties. In fact, consular services play an important role in cementing business ties with Guyana. And the CG showcased Guyana on Times Square Bill Boards during Republic Anniversary celebration last February, the first time ever for Guyana or any country using that medium. The CG also flew a giant Golden Arrowhead over the Hudson River during last Independence Day celebrations, first time ever for Guyana. And there was also raising Golden Arrowhead at the historic Bowling Green for independence. The CG participated at Diwali and Phagwah celebrations in NJ and NY. It also partook in Eid and Easter celebrations. Last August, it hosted Emancipation Day Event at Medgar Evers College, fourth consecutive year, and was present at the Indian Arrival Day celebrations.
The many activities, the dynamism, the diversity of the diaspora and its many programmes, religious, civic, festivals, celebrations, national days organized at so many locations, are nothing less than inspiring. The CG is commended for its services.