Lawmakers debate Mexican ID cards

The Spokane Spokesman Review ^ | February 6, 2004 | Richard Roesler

[eeman]

OLYMPIA _ Tomas Villanueva got up at 3a.m. Thursday, made coffee, pulled on two flannel shirts, and drove his old van from the Yakima Valley to the state Capitol.

He hoped to win over state lawmakers on a matter important to him.

The lawmakers were busy. Villanueva was granted less than two minutes to make his case.

Sitting at a microphone, he asked lawmakers to allow more widespread acceptance of Mexican consular ID cards as legitimate identification.

The change wouldn't affect Mexicans' immigration status or right to work here, he said. But people need an ID, he said, to open a bank account, sign up for electrical or water service, or even get a library card.

"What better national security than knowing who we have living in our state?" the 61-year-old man asked.

He wasn't alone. On Thursday, dozens of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans crowded a House of Representatives hearing room, and urged lawmakers to pass House Bill 3029.

The bill would authorize wider acceptance of the photo ID card, known as a "matricula consular." It authorizes cities, counties, police, banks and check-cashing companies to accept the cards as a valid form of ID, except in cases when a driver's license is specifically required.

The bill also allows the state Department of Licensing to come up with different -- presumably more lenient -- rules for using the cards as a form of ID to get a driver's license or state ID card. Under the current rules, anyone showing a Mexican consular ID has to bring along at least four other forms of ID to get a driver's license.

To get the ID card, a Mexican must go to the nearest Mexican consulate, and provide a birth certificate, government-issued photo ID, and proof of address in Washington. The consulate keeps the digital photograph and signature on file.

Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vancouver, sponsored the bill. He's fielded some angry calls and e-mails over it.

"I was called a pimp, a panderer, a bozo and a whore," he said in an interview.

Much of the criticism stems from critics' worries that accepting the cards is a step toward legitimizing illegal aliens. Several lawmakers at Thursday's hearing clearly shared those concerns.

"If you have people that are lawfully in the United States, they require a passport with a picture ID to get into the United States, with a visa," said Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy. "Why in the world would we need this kind of identification?"

Nobody had a good answer for that, because nobody wanted to say the obvious: that illegal immigrants often use fake social security cards and other fake documents to get work here. Employers, needing workers, may not run background checks to ensure that the documents are legitimate. But banks or utility companies will, usually using the social security number.

That leaves many Mexicans in limbo, working -- albeit illegally -- in Washington, but unable to open a bank account, get a driver's license, or take part in other everyday transactions.

"One of the things I've always been concerned about is that we have kind of an underground society in this country," said Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside.

Fromhold and other proponents -- including the Mexican consul from Seattle -- repeatedly tried to ease lawmakers' fears.

"This is being characterized as something evil, and nothing could be further from the truth," he said.

The change wouldn't help illegal aliens become legal, Fromhold said. Nor would it help them get welfare.

"State and federal law already make undocumented immigrants ineligible for most forms of public assistance, such as welfare and Medicaid," Fromhold said. "This bill does not alter that at all."

A few banks, including Washington Mutual and U.S. Bank, have started accepting the cards as ID for some transactions, such as opening a savings account.

"In some ways, you're enabling an illegal system. That's of course the dilemma," said Greg Cunningham from Catholic Charities in Spokane. "But it does give people a sense of dignity."

"It's better to have people drive safely and obey the laws than to drive without a license," said Carlos Maldonado, a Chicano Studies faculty member at Eastern Washington University. "These people are already here. Do we just close our eyes?"

[eeman]

Washington State Freeper: it is time to get on the phone to your local state congressional offices. Otherwise, this will be a fait accompli like just as giving illegal aliens in-state tuition breaks

[MegaSilver]

I cannot believe they are even discussing this.

[eeman]

This may seem a like self promotional ping. But I found this article today and I think it is important that as many Washington State people to see it as possible.

[eeman]

It is disgusting. I know who I am contacting next week

[Mulder]

I cannot believe they are even discussing this.

States are discussing recognizing illegal immigrants, why they fail to recognize some of the basic Rights of Americans.

That Tree of Liberty is getting pretty freakin' thirsty.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Oh why even bother to discuss it. They're going to do it anyway.

I'm sure Mexico is great at record keeping. No way these people could have false IDs. Nope.

And they'll be using their new IDs to fly with us I'm sure.

[Joe Hadenuf]

"I was called a pimp, a panderer, a bozo and a whore," he said in an interview.

He's lucky that's all that happened. It's pretty obvious this is nothing but an attempt to kill our sovereignty, by a bunch no good, anti-American, communist a$$holes.

[Captainpaintball]

On the Drudge Report: Mexican fans hoot during "The Star Spangled Banner" and chant "Osama,Osama!!!" at US soccer players during playoff game...

We WANT these people here?

[auntdot]

Do we want these people here Cap? I sure don't.

I am tired of local hospitals going into the red and facing the threat of closing because they are inundated by the great alien uninsured.

I am tired of, oh why bother.

But El Senor Presidente Boosh wants to give them la amnestia and they will be pouring across the borders in ever increasing numbers.

If El Presidente Boosh thinks he is going to get one extra vote by proposing this, he is loco.

The Dems will, and have, co-opted him on this issue.

But this issue was not even on the table, and would not have been, had El Presidente not brought it up.

There are serious reasons to question GWBs political moxie, and I will not go into them now.

But on this matter, El Presidente has really shot wide of the mark.

[longtermmemmory]

What happened to mexican passports?

A mexican passport would be a legal doc to be recognized.

Oh wait, the passport would have an indication of legal status and visas!

[judgeandjury]

"It's better to have people drive safely and obey the laws than to drive without a license," said Carlos Maldonado, a Chicano Studies faculty member at Eastern Washington University.

Actually it's better that people who don't have a driver's license stay the hell off of our roads, thus making our roads safer.

[longtermmemmory]

When a judge suspends someone's license they say, "take the bus."

Mexicans in the USA who are not residents or citizens, should have a passport.

[MissouriForBush]

Bush decided that illegal aliens and their constituencies were more important than my vote.

I will remember in November and will be voting for a third party.

Just sign me -- A Disgusted Republican

[Captainpaintball]

Just sign me -- A Disgusted Republican

How 'bout "MissouriForTancredo?"

[auntdot]

Thanks Missouri.

The one issue that is often overlooked is the security of our nation.

GWB has done little to secure our borders.

If poor, uneducated Mexicans can stream across our borders with impunity, it is obvious that committed terrorists can do the same.

I fear GWB is playing fast and loose with the security of our citizens.

Have been posting my concerns about GWB's ignoring our security for over a year.

Will vote Republican, but not check any box at the top of the ballot.

God Bless.

[thecabal]

Ping

[AnimalLover]

Bump & Ping

[NewRomeTacitus]

Washington State, do not entertain legitimizing the illegitimate. My state of Tennessee eased drivers license requirements and found a human tidal wave inundating the stations from everywhere else. Once they had a Tennessee license they returned to their "home" states and swapped them for those state's licenses that they wouldn't have been able to obtain in the first place.

This confirms the existence of a huge counterfeit document trade and a grapevine communication network that enables the parasites to take advantage of any loophole or break they can take advantage of. Getting this law repealled or modified here has been hell ("It's to insure safety!"), but we're not giving up or going away about this.

Just before Christmas two illegals thought they hit a pregnant woman with their truck (she may have fell down going into labor). When she pleaded for help one emptied his (illegally purchased) handgun into her, one round going through the unborn baby. As he did this he told the woman "Here's your help."
Their excuse: They "didn't want to get into trouble for hitting someone."

This is an exceptionally heinous act, but insurance and injury rates are climbing steadily from illegals' accidents from which they flee or no habla insurance.

[NoCurrentFreeperByThatName]

ping...

[gubamyster]

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