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(Houston) Police to honor Mexican ID cards
Houston Chronicle ^ | March 8, 2002, 10:02PM | By MIKE GLENN

Posted on 03/08/2002 9:04:15 PM PST by Buffalo Bob

An identity card routinely issued by the Mexican Consulate to citizens living in Houston will be considered official identification by Houston police officers.

"Houston police officers are encountering these people on a daily basis -- whether it is as a witness, whether it is as a victim or in some cases as a suspect," Police Chief C.O. Bradford said this week. "I welcome this card as a proof of identification."

More than 130,000 Mexicans living in the Houston area have been issued the document, called a "matricular card." The cards are similar to those often issued by U.S. diplomatic officials to Americans living overseas.

Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity, said Enrique Buj-Flores, the Mexican consul general in Houston.

"It allows the Houston Police Department to know that these are Mexican nationals and that they have been recognized by the Mexican state through its consular representation," Buj-Flores said.

Because their immigration status may be in question, some Mexican citizens have no valid U.S. forms of identification, such as a driver's license.

"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.

Bradford said the document, however, doesn't grant the bearer any diplomatic privilege or is it a "get-out-of-jail-free card."

"It does not exempt anyone as far as them being held responsible for a crime," Bradford said. "It does assist us in determining the proper identity of many of the individuals that Houston police officers come into contact with on a day-to-day basis."

Several area banks also have signed up with the program, Buj-Flores said, and will allow Mexican citizens to open checking accounts using the matricular card as identification.

State Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, called the decision by city officials and area banks to recognize the matricular card a step in the right direction.

"It is an innovative way for the business community to interact with the Mexican nationals who are here," Gallegos said. "That's a pool out there that hasn't been tapped. They have money and they are willing to spend it and put it in the bank."

Police officials are betting that a more widespread recognition of the matricular card will help cut down on crime. Bradford said almost half of all robbery victims in the Houston area speak Spanish.

Although some victims may fear coming forward because of their legal status in the United States, Bradford said his officers do not work for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

"We do not get involved in citizenship status checks," he said.

Buj-Flores said officers will not share information with U.S. officials. "The data bank is confidential. It is something that the Mexican national voluntarily gives to the consulate," he said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: immigrantlist
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In the 1960's they were called illegal aliens.

In 1996 they were called undocumented workers.

In 2002 they are now just called Mexican nationals.

1 posted on 03/08/2002 9:04:15 PM PST by Buffalo Bob
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To: poised woman; roachie
this is sickening to me, especially post 9/11
2 posted on 03/08/2002 9:06:47 PM PST by I_Love_My_Husband
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To: Buffalo Bob
What ever happened to Carol Hu? She would be having "the big one Elizabeth" over this news.
3 posted on 03/08/2002 9:13:55 PM PST by MissAmericanPie
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To: Buffalo Bob
"Because their immigration status may be in question, some Mexican citizens have no valid U.S. forms of identification, such as a driver's license.

"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.
"

Unfreakin believable...
4 posted on 03/08/2002 9:52:30 PM PST by Texas_Jarhead
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To: Buffalo Bob
A co-worker of mine was just telling me that airport security in Seattle was not going to let him board a plane home becuse his drivers license had expired three days before his planned trip. They told him it was not a valid ID, he had to do some real fast talking and demonstrate that he had been away from home for the last month.
5 posted on 03/08/2002 10:02:14 PM PST by Brad C.
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To: Buffalo Bob
"Houston police officers are encountering these people on a daily basis

Then why don't they put the illegals on the next bus back to Mexico?

Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity, said Enrique Buj-Flores, the Mexican consul general in Houston.

Orange County CA law "enforcement" officers also accept this bogus ID.

"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.

Wrong - they are illegals.

6 posted on 03/08/2002 10:51:24 PM PST by gubamyster
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To: Buffalo Bob
When will they rename the city to Santa Anna?
7 posted on 03/08/2002 11:32:28 PM PST by rmlew
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To: gubamyster
They are hard-working citizens

of Mexico

8 posted on 03/08/2002 11:35:26 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: Buffalo Bob; All; *immigrant_list
Don't get upset. It's only temporary. Tancredo doubts he can block amnesty-extension bill I'm sure most will have new American ID cards soon.
9 posted on 03/09/2002 12:41:02 AM PST by Lion's Cub
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To: FreedomFriend;rightofrush; Semaphore Heathcliffe;WDG55513; Major Malfunction;ratcat;Carry_Okie...
Ping....The official Aztlan Identification Card.
10 posted on 03/09/2002 7:30:22 AM PST by HennepinPrisoner
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To: Buffalo Bob
Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity, said Enrique Buj-Flores, the Mexican consul general in Houston.

Others will follow soon, unfortunately.

11 posted on 03/09/2002 7:31:49 AM PST by HennepinPrisoner
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To: HennepinPrisoner
Although some victims may fear coming forward because of their legal status in the United States, Bradford said his officers do not work for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

What do we do as citizens when our police officials refuse to do the job that they are mandated to do by law? Are we going to have to do the job for them?

12 posted on 03/09/2002 7:38:17 AM PST by healey22
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To: HennepinPrisoner; Buffalo Bob
Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity......as an illegal alien.

But that doesn't matter anymore. Goodbye America. Was nice knowing you.

13 posted on 03/09/2002 7:42:58 AM PST by Dawgsquat
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To: Buffalo Bob; Victoria Delsoul; Pelham; Travis McGee; Joe Hadenuf; sarcasm; harpseal; RonDog...
Because their immigration status may be in question, some Mexican citizens have no valid U.S. forms of identification, such as a driver's license.

There's no question...

"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.

Just not of citizens of America. They're illegal colonistas,, and should be summarily deported with total asset forfeiture to the INS.




14 posted on 03/09/2002 7:45:08 AM PST by Sabertooth
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To: Buffalo Bob
very messed up
15 posted on 03/09/2002 7:48:46 AM PST by GeronL
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To: Buffalo Bob
Don't mess with Texas ... LET'S ROLL!
16 posted on 03/09/2002 7:50:43 AM PST by Askel5
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To: Buffalo Bob
Memo to Texas politicians...


Kiss My Vote

We're a nation strong with immigrants
     Who know about fair play;
But you prefer the other ones,
     Without an honest day.
I know that you will call me names
But I will not be shy…
          Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
          And kiss my vote goodbye.

I don't care if they're from Mexico,
     Canada, France or Spain.
I don't care if they swam a river,
     Or got here in a plane.
I'm not giving up my country,
No matter how hard you try…
          Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
          And kiss my vote goodbye.

Put down your economics,
     Your demographics too.
Uphold our laws and borders,
     As we elected you.
But if you're thinking otherwise,
We'll know for sure you lie…
          Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
          And kiss my vote goodbye.

You lightly take your promises,
     But we will not forget.
Double cross us once again,
     Your sun will surely set.
The time has come to send them home,
And I have told you why…
          But go ahead, kiss illegals,
          And kiss my vote goodbye.

And if you' think it can't be done,
     Then step aside, we'll fight.
It's amnesty or honesty,
     Surrender or be right.
So listen, you politicians,
And hear our vengeful cry…
          Deport your dear illegals,
          Or kiss our votes goodbye.





17 posted on 03/09/2002 7:55:13 AM PST by Sabertooth
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To: Sabertooth
Thanks for the ping. You must be reading my mind. I was searching for threads just like this one.
18 posted on 03/09/2002 7:57:03 AM PST by Brownie74
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To: Sabertooth
Unaccustomed to subscribing to conspiracy theories as I am .... choke ..... cough......... I can't help but see a "plan" at work (let's not say conspiracy) from our unelected and elected leaders who wish to see the visible merger of Mexico, the US and Canada into one nation state......
19 posted on 03/09/2002 7:57:03 AM PST by father_elijah
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To: Sabertooth
Brilliant, Sabertooth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 posted on 03/09/2002 7:57:56 AM PST by father_elijah
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