Posted on 02/21/2004 12:53:07 PM PST by 537 Votes
Washington state is not responsible for enforcing the flawed and inadequately enforced U.S. immigration laws, but its economy relies heavily on workers who do not have legal permission to be in the United States. What to do? The state Senate should approve a bill that would authorize state agencies, municipalities and state-chartered banks to accept a Mexico-issued card as valid identification. The measure passed the House 55-41 and mirrors ordinances passed by several practical-minded cities, including Seattle, Bellevue, Renton and Yakima.
The matrícula consular is issued by the Mexican consulate to Mexican nationals. Applicants must appear in person, provide an original birth certificate, government-issued identification and proof of their Washington state address.
No question, the matrícula consular is designed to help people who are in the United States illegally. Others have valid identification, such as passports, visas and green cards.
But these illegal residents harvest our crops, bus our tables and work at other low-wage jobs. Because of their immigration status, they are vulnerable to thieves and fearful of reporting crimes to the authorities. With the card, they can open bank accounts, rent apartments and sign up for utility service. It does not change their immigration status.
House Bill 3029 is a partial answer to the question of how non-federal agencies should deal with this phenomenon in the absence of coherent guidance from the federal government.
Although some Justice Department officials have said they have concerns about the matrícula consular in terms of national security, the U.S. Treasury Department in September reaffirmed rules permitting financial institutions to accept the card. U.S. Bank, Key Bank and Washington Mutual already take it.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Eduardo Aguirre said on a Seattle visit last month that the federal government is still considering the merits of the matrícula consular: "As a state, as a municipality, if you accept that card, that's your problem — or your opportunity," he said.
In other words, states, municipalities and businesses are on their own.
That's why Washington state should take this step. The Senate should approve HB 3029, and the governor should sign it.
[29] And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
[30] And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
[31] And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
[32] And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
[33] And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
[34] Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Your birthright is your citizenship: your right to live in this country, be protected by its government, have claim to jobs without competition from people who do not pay taxes or obey laws. If we continue to tolerate the flood of illegal immigration, we will see the dilution of all value in having citizenship, and we will lose the birthright we had as Americans.
However WA state senate has a one vote GOP majority. This bill can only be stopped if they all vote against it. WA state Freepers: We all need to call our state senators on Monday to prevent any more feckless GOP legislators from joining with the RATS on this bill.
You can locate your WA sate senator here.
As Rush said I think last Thursday, "make some noise."
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