Expedited in Merida for lending a hand without an appointment: bureaucracy against humanity

A SEPE official in Mérida has faced disciplinary action for assisting people who showed up at the office without an appointment. His "crime"? Lending a hand to those who had been trying for days—or weeks—to get an appointment, but always after attending to everyone who actually had one. Now he faces six months of suspension without pay, accused of insubordination. It’s that simple.

The case has sparked a wave of solidarity among Mérida residents, who have gathered at the office doors to demand that the sanction be withdrawn. But beyond this story, what it has done is hit a nerve: the nightmare of getting an appointment with the government. And if you’re a foreigner dealing with your residency papers, you surely know what I’m talking about.

Okay, appointments for immigration, the SEPE, or Social Security disappear in a matter of minutes. You call and call, and nothing. And when you can’t get one, you’re left hanging. This civil servant, at least, was trying to plug that gap as best he could. But rules are rules, and the government doesn’t forgive you for breaking them—not even with good intentions.

The truth is, this isn’t an isolated case. In many offices, employees have their hands tied: if they see someone without an appointment, they risk disciplinary action. And you, as a user, bear the brunt of it. What can you do if you need to handle an urgent matter and there are no appointments available? Sometimes you have to keep trying, call at different times, or ask for help from immigrant associations. But it doesn’t always work.

That’s why the story of this civil servant in Mérida resonates so deeply. It’s an example of how the system turns against those who try to be human. Meanwhile, citizens continue to wait for an improvement in the management of appointments. Until then, we have to make do.

If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria