MEXICO CITY (AP) – The Mexican government is launching a plan to give Mexicans living in the United States a voice on national policy.

The Institute for Mexicans Abroad is planning to hold open-ended public consultation sessions from mid-March to early April in 13 U.S. cities.

The head of the Institute said Thursday Mexicans can participate whether they are long-time established migrants or recent arrivals without proper documents.

Roberto Valdovinos said consultative forums will be held in San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno and Los Angeles, and also in the Texas cities of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and El Paso.

Phoenix and Tucson will also have dates, as will New York City and Chicago.

The forums won’t be votes, but rather a chance for Mexicans abroad to opine on Mexico’s national development plan.