Enviro News Asia, Washington, D.C. – The Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Indonesian citizens in the United States by organizing another edition of its mobile consular service program, Warung Konsuler, at the IMAAM Center in Maryland.
The outreach program was attended by Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo, accompanied by Deputy Ambassador, officials from the embassy’s Protocol and Consular Section, and the Indonesian Immigration Attaché.
Designed to bring government services directly to Indonesian communities, Warung Konsuler provides a more accessible and community-based approach to consular assistance for citizens living far from Indonesia.
According to the embassy, an estimated 120,000 Indonesian citizens currently reside in the United States. However, only around 55,000 have officially registered with Indonesian diplomatic missions, leaving tens of thousands outside the government’s administrative database.
The embassy also noted that U.S. government data indicate 4,276 Indonesian nationals are listed under final orders of removal, meaning they are legally required to leave the country and may face deportation. As of April 2025, at least 20 Indonesian citizens had been directly affected, with five already deported.
Against this backdrop, Warung Konsuler serves not only as an administrative service but also as a mobile outreach initiative that allows Indonesian citizens to register with the embassy, seek advice on immigration-related issues, renew passports, and apply for temporary travel documents, including the Surat Perjalanan Laksana Paspor (SPLP).
Unlike conventional consular services conducted at embassy offices, the program is held in community venues, creating a more welcoming environment where Indonesian citizens can seek assistance, ask questions, and discuss personal concerns without hesitation.
The embassy also encouraged Indonesian nationals in the United States to stay informed about evolving U.S. immigration regulations, particularly as stricter enforcement policies have increased the risks faced by undocumented migrants.
Indonesian citizens were advised to carry valid identification documents, understand their legal rights, including access to legal representation and communication with Indonesian diplomatic missions, and complete self-registration with the embassy or one of Indonesia’s five Consulates General located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and New York.
The Indonesian government views Warung Konsuler, accurate citizen registration, and public awareness of immigration regulations as complementary pillars of citizen protection. Through the initiative, the embassy aims to strengthen outreach efforts and ensure Indonesian nationals continue to receive support wherever they live in the United States. (*)
