In defense of banks, one of the main reasons they won't issue cashier's checks or do wire transfers for non-customers is because that is where all the fraud had been perpetrated over the years, dating back way before 9/11--costing banks hundreds of millions annually.
It's a risk-management issue--protection of bank assets--as much as it is a homeland security issue. The first rule you learn as a banker is "know your customer", and banks had previously always tried to live up to that adage.
And it just amazes me that the large banks will jeopardize national security on such a grand scale in trade for the dollars and for taking the politically correct stance--while essentially dropping the oldest adage in the book.
While 99 out of 100 illegal aliens mean no harm and understandably just want to improve their own lives, there are those in that 1% who take advantage of the weakness. The direction the big banks are taking by relying on this matricular consulate for ID absolutely invites the bad guys to jump right in.
Baffling and maddening at the same time!
*matricula consular