The group is in Mexico City in response to an invitation by the Institute of Mexicans Living Abroad to attend the 1st Information Conference for Elected and Appointed Latino Officials, the foreign ministry said in a communique.

Derbez stressed "the work these elected local Latino officials carry out in favor" of Mexicans who live in the United States.

He also highlighted "the Latino representatives' support for allowing the matricula consular (a form of identification issued by Mexican Consulates) to be used to obtain driver licenses and open bank accounts" in the United States.

Among the visiting U.S. officeholders are California State Assembly majority leader Rep. Marco Antonio Firebaugh, chairman of the legislature's Hispanic Caucus.

Also taking part is California state Sen. Gilbert Cedillo, who introduced the bill that allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver licenses in the state.

Rep. Rick Noriega, the principal sponsor of the law that allows children of undocumented immigrants to pay resident tuition at state-run colleges and universities in Texas, is another member of the delegation.

The politicians will spend two days in Mexico City, where they plan to meet with government officials, congressional leaders, academics.