Mexico's ID Makes Major Gains in U.S.

LA Times ^ | 09/27/05 | Jennifer Delson and Anna Gorman,

[gubamyster]

Use of the matricula consular is helping many to assimilate, which is one reason those against illegal immigration oppose the card's use.

By Jennifer Delson and Anna Gorman, Times Staff Writers

Despite opposition from groups that oppose illegal immigration, the matricula consular — an identification card issued by the Mexican government — has become increasingly common and widely used in California.

The number issued statewide has jumped from just under 190,000 five years ago to nearly 360,000 last year. Nationwide, the the number has gone from 528,000 to more than 4.7 million last year, according to the Mexican government.

Other countries, primarily in Latin America, are taking note of the matricula's success. Argentina, El Salvador and Honduras either distribute comparable cards or plan to this fall. Colombia began a pilot program in late 2004.

Resembling driver's licenses, the Mexican photo identification cards are a boon to U.S. businesses. They allow companies such as Sprint, Costco and Wells Fargo to capture the buying power of an eager and growing group of consumers: illegal immigrants.

The cards can be used to establish credit, open bank accounts, buy insurance and apply for government services.

"There was a need in the Latino community," Wells Fargo spokeswoman Mary Trigg said of her company's decision in 2001 to accept the card. "And we saw a market there."

Margarita Hernandez, an illegal immigrant who lives in Orange County, said she used the ID card to open a Wells Fargo checking account and establish a line of credit that allowed her to buy a cellphone, a 1997 Dodge Caravan, a 56-inch flat-screen television, living room and dining room sets and a $1,000 gold watch.

"It's all because I have this," said Hernandez, proudly displaying a laminated card with her photo set against the colors of the Mexican flag.

[gubamyster]

ping

[dagnabbit]

With the "success" of his Matricula-card stealth amnesty, one wonders why George Bush still wants an overt amnesty.

[Iron Matron]

They allow companies such as Sprint, Costco and Wells Fargo to capture the buying power. . .

Companies like these, and our own good President, are aiding and abetting the INVASION of this country.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Is "assimilate" perhaps the wrong word choice when you are talking about illegal immigrants? Doesn't the term imply that you are mainstreamed into a normal or prevailing culture? Since the majority in our culture are not yet here illegally - I think this poor choice betrays the media's inability to see the issue objectively.

 

[blackie]

Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!

Support our Minutemen Patriots!

Be Ever Vigilant ~ Bump!

[cardinal4]

Margarita Hernandez, an illegal immigrant who lives in Orange County, said she used the ID card to open a Wells Fargo checking account and establish a line of credit that allowed her to buy a cellphone, a 1997 Dodge Caravan, a 56-inch flat-screen television, living room and dining room sets and a $1,000 gold watch.

Next up, a voter registration card..

[afnamvet]

BTTT

[taxed2death]

"Use of the matricula consular is helping many to assimilate, which is one reason those against illegal immigration oppose the card's use."

Such stupidity in the first sentence.

Those against illegal immigration?

Hmmmm, like those people who wrote our constitution?

Like those people (cough, cough, cough.....GWB) who swore an oath to uphold the laws of our country and protect us from foreign invaders?

Like those people (choke, choke, choke.....law enforcement officers) who swore to uphold our laws and to protect citizens of the US?


Are these ding-bats talking about "those people"?


LOL

[cardinal4]

Now, more than 2,800 households have accounts. Some started at $100 and grew to $20,000 a few months later, Contreraz said. Ruben Beltran, Mexico's consul general in Los Angeles, and 45 Mexican consuls around the United States are trying to make it easier to get matricula cards, processing applications on Saturdays at mobile consulates in outlying areas. Those gatherings have become community events that draw nonprofit organizations and banks offering free items to those who open accounts.

*Shudder* Im into Wells Fargo for about 20,000 in student loans. Im part of the problem!

[SolarisRocks]

Why do I, a US citizen, have to show multiple forms of US/State issued ID to open up a checking account while illegals do not?

[556x45]

What a deal...and if dear Margarita defaults on the loan(s) and hightails it back to Mexico w/ the loot who picks up the tab????

[cardinal4]

What a deal...and if dear Margarita defaults on the loan(s) and hightails it back to Mexico w/ the loot who picks up the tab????

Back to Meheeco with her friggin' 56inch TV!

[dennisw]

With the "success" of his Matricula-card stealth amnesty, one wonders why George Bush still wants an overt amnesty.

This is George Bush's doing. He could care less if Mexico issues these bllsht IDs that make life easier for illegal alien invaders here. Why do we even bother fighting in Iraq if we won't defend the borders of our sovereign nation. It's disgusting. I voted twice for GW.

Notice how Bush always appoints droolers and hacks to head up our immigration enforcement.

[KarlInOhio]

Margarita Hernandez, an illegal immigrant who lives in Orange County, said she used the ID card to open a Wells Fargo checking account and establish a line of credit that allowed her to buy a cellphone, a 1997 Dodge Caravan, a 56-inch flat-screen television, living room and dining room sets and a $1,000 gold watch.

Just borrowing to buy big screen TVs and gold watches Americans won't buy.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Anyone know if there's a limit on how many of these cards with different identities one person can have at one time? Or do they issue them as a set?

[planekT]

Reminds me of that old show, "To Tell the Truth"

"My name is Pedro Gonzales"

"My name is... Pedro Gonzales"

"My name...is Pedro Gonzales".

[gubamyster]

Anyone know if there's a limit on how many of these cards with different identities one person can have at one time? Or do they issue them as a set?

Since you can buy them in the park or on a street corner, probably about as many as you can afford. People have bought cards with fake names & sent them to various local radio hosts w/ the radio host's picture on the card.

[dagnabbit]

Bush appears to have decided that the USA needs to be abolished in favor of a merged state with Mexico. How else to explain his open collusion with Mexico in its massive illegal population transfers to the USA.

[auntyfemenist]

allowed her to buy a cellphone, a 1997 Dodge Caravan, a 56-inch flat-screen television, living room and dining room sets and a $1,000 gold watch...

Someone tell me, how an illegal could afford these things?? I am a small business owning citizen and I can't afford these things. And since when does a bank just hand out credit so freely? Everyone I know, citizens all, has to work their butts off and never be even one day late paying a bill just to get and keep decent credit. At this point, just after Katrina, I bet Wells Fargo wouldn't give me a nickle.