Astrid Palacios watched as Colombian families started their days hopeful, yet ended frustrated.

A volunteer for a February 2023 pop-up Colombian consulate in Charlotte, Palacios spent the day greeting and directing attendees from across the Carolinas. With less than 200 appointment slots, it was impossible to help all who needed legal documents and passports. Lines of people waiting to take a forgotten appointment slot stretched out the door.

Attendees left grateful — or dissatisfied if they didn’t receive help. Regardless, something greater was missing for the quickly growing Colombian population in the Carolinas: a place nearby instead of hundreds of miles away to get basic government services.