The Tucson passport fair at El Pueblo Center drew a bigger crowd than organizers expected Thursday, as U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva hosted a Passport Acceptance Fair for Southern Arizona residents.

The event provided a simple and expedited process for new and returning passport applicants.

Held at the El Pueblo Center in South Tucson, Grijalva shared that the fair aimed to “Make these federal services as accessible as possible… the process can be a little bit intimidating so to have someone to walk you through those steps is very helpful.”

With more than two hundred RSVPs and almost half as many walk-ins, the center was packed full of applicants – including many families with young children. 

The massive local reception was not lost on the Congresswoman, “I think it’s telling, that we’ve had such a turnout, with this administration pushing the SAVE America Act which basically requires you to have a passport in order to vote.” 

Despite the large turnout, many applicants reported being in and out in under forty-five minutes. Several stopped to thank Grijalva for both hosting and for the quick and easy service. 

The process began with a sign in desk at the front holding informational packets explaining the process, waiting times, and documents needed. Once checked in, applicants wait roughly thirty to forty-five minutes before being called back with their families to submit documentation all together. 

Why submit through the fair rather than mailing the paperwork? 

The passport fair diminishes the dreaded wait period after paperwork is mailed in and waiting to be verified. 

Grijalva clarified that while applicants wouldn’t leave with a passport the same day, the verification process is often most of the delay, and that is what the event was combatting. 

A staff member at the El Pueblo Center told Northeast Valley News that, “Nearly 95% of applicants brought in all of the needed documentation.” 

The event was an overwhelming success. 

This documentation includes: a completed, printed application, an original U.S. citizenship document and photocopy, a passport photo taken in the last six months, a valid ID and photocopy, and a non-cash form a payment. 

Grijalva made it clear that applicants did not need to be residents in the 7th Congressional District. She went on to express that with the cost of applications, photos, and documents, it’s often difficult to get the entire family set up with passports. 

“I think that it’s really important to bring services to people where they are whenever we can… this made it a lot easier not having to pay the expedited fee, knowing that everything you have is set, and you’re guaranteed your passport.”

At the end of the day, Representative Grijalva voiced her gratitude for the applicants, the El Pueblo Center staff, and State Department alike as well as her hopes to hold many more passport fairs throughout the 7th Congressional District.