SRE Issues First Electronic Passport
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SRE Issues First Electronic Passport

Photo by:   Gob. MX
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Cinthya Alaniz Salazar By Cinthya Alaniz Salazar | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Thu, 10/07/2021 - 09:52

The Ministry of Foreign Relations (SRE) issues the first electronic passport that will utilize chip technology to store an individual’s personal information, thereby elevating the security of the Mexican passport to the “highest international requirements and standards,” said Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard at press conference earlier today.

After January 2022, all physical passports will have an embedded chip containing all the biometric data of the national, which will be incapsulated in a polycarbonate sheet meant to prevent manipulation or forgery. Other features include the use of “next generation” holograms and even color classifications: green to distinguish nationals, grey for officers and black for diplomats.

Moreover, the state agency assures that these changes will not increase the document’s current price but will make it “very difficult for people’s identity to be abused or impersonated,” said Ebrard. These added security measures have made Mexico’s passport among the Top 15 safest documents in the world, on par with the US and the EU, the Foreign Minister added.

For children, adolescents and people with disabilities, the biographical and biometric data of their guardians will be included for added security. “It is a great step because INE IDs are for people over 18 years of age and school IDs are very diverse. (The passport) will allow us to correctly protect minors and people with disabilities who cannot fend for themselves," said the head of the SRE.

Mexican nationals abroad will also be able to process their electronic passports around the globe, informed the Ministry. Among the first beneficiaries were five young DACA Mexicans living in Los Angeles who received their new passport from Consul Marcela Celorio and Director General of Consul Services Jaime Vázquez Bracho.

The development of this digitation project lasted over two years and was carried out “under strict rules of transparency,” supported by the United Nations Office for Project Services and the Ministry of Public Affairs. Still to be confirmed is what additional countries , if any, will recognize this fortified document. 

Photo by:   Gob. MX

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