Sheriff balks at Mexican ID cards

DailyPress.com ^ | April 18, 2003

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will not recognize Mexican-issued identification cards, despite Victorville City Council's unanimous endorsement of the cards earlier this week, officials said Thursday.

"Our Sheriff (Gary Penrod) has some concern accepting the card as a standalone document," said Sheriff's Lt. Rick Carr.

On Tuesday, the council unanimously endorsed the cards, following a ceremony in which the council members praised the program.

Councilman Rudy Cabriales instructed the staff to "make sure we have training for the Sheriff's Department."

The council also instructed staff to come up with a formal resolution to support the program.

While the city contracts out for the sheriff's services, it cannot dictate larger policies, Carr said.

"It's the sheriff's decision," he said.

Councilman Bob Hunter said his vote was to support the general concept of the cards, not this particular program.

"We won't do anything until the Sheriff's Department looks at the program," Hunter said.

Cabriales did not return calls for comment Thursday.

The Sheriff's Department, for its part, said it is awaiting the results of a federal review, which began in January. A proposed four-month federal pilot program began accepting the identification cards for access to a federal building in San Francisco. It was quickly terminated, though, because of questions of whether the cards were secure.

Investigation under way

The federal General Services Administration, along with the U.S. State Department and other agencies, are investigating the card, said Ed Larkin, a spokesman for the GSA.

The GSA questioned the "integrity of information contained in such cards and security of the document itself," according to an administration-issued statement.

Still, more than 800 law enforcement agencies, along with banks and local governments, recognize the card, said Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, Mexican consul for San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Along with Wells Fargo and Bank of America, Desert Community Bank recognizes the card, but only as a secondary source of information.

"The reason we don't recognize it as primary identification is that it's too easy to get," said Ron Wilson, president and CEO of the bank.

Immigration control groups said the identification cards, called matricula consular, allows undocumented immigrants to enjoy the benefits of citizenship.

Cards make us 'welcome mat'

"Governments and banks supporting these cards is making us even more of a welcome mat to illegal aliens," said Barbara Coe, chairwoman of the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, based in Huntington Beach.

"There is absolutely no security on these cards. There's not enough verification that the person applying is who they say they are," Coe said.

To get a card, applicants must provide the area consulate with a Mexican birth certificate, a photo ID and proof of residency, such as a utility bill, said Giralt-Cabrales.

"We don't construct identities," he said.

The cards are equipped with the latest technology to prevent falsification, Giralt-Cabrales said, and even many of the card's critics agree that the card is difficult to reproduce.

But those like Coe who oppose the card say it's too easy to obtain the birth certificate and photo ID.

"I can buy one of those at the corner for 30 bucks," she said of the birth certificates.

Last year, the consulate issued more than 34,000 matricula consular cards to Mexican nationals living in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Giralt-Cabrales said.

Father Michael Lama, of Christ the Good Shephard Catholic Church in Adelanto, said he supports the cards if they make life easier for those in the community.

"If it gives them a benefit in some way while they're here, then God bless them," he said.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[SamiGirl]

This makes me furious! Why are people so willing to sell out their own country? If you dare say anything about illegal immigration, your can be sure that you'll be shut up quickly by being labeled as racist. How did this insanity take hold and spread so quickly?

[madfly]

Perhaps the hispanic-only surnames of the current list of wanted murder and rape suspects in SB County has something to do with this sheriff's reluctance to accept the Matricular ID's!

San Bernardino's Most Wanted

MURDER / ATTEMPTED MURDER
Status	Releases
	Wanted - For Bank Robbery - Rancho Cucamonga
	Wanted - For Murder, Ernestina Bernal - City of Highland  (.pdf format)
	Wanted - For Murder, Anthony Arteaga, AKA "Bames", Age 17
	Wanted - For Murder, Unknown - Composite Sketch
	Wanted - For Murder, Jose Richard Fuentez, Jr. "JoJo", Age 20
	Wanted - Attempt Murder, Jason Marcus Hernandez and Leonard Aguirre
En Espanol	Wanted - For Murder, Fermin Martinez Rodriguez, Age 47
	Wanted - For Murder, Nicholas Mendez Hernandez, Age 39
	Wanted - For Murder; Joel Pena, aka "Spider",  Age 15
	Wanted - Information Regarding the Murder of Maria Pastora Reyes, Age 21

More background on Sheriff Penrod:

Excerpt from Sierra Times response to AP article on Sheriff's who are "anti-government"

. . . California ranchers in San Bernardino County, chafing at cattle grazing restrictions imposed to 'protect' the threatened desert tortoise, were supported recently by Sheriff Gary Penrod who canceled an agreement that gave Bureau of Land Management officers authority to enforce state laws on federal land.

How dare that Sheriff? After a federal judge ruled in the ranchers favor, the BLM tried to confiscate cattle anyway. This must mean that a Sheriff exercising his authority within his own jurisdiction is antigovernment as well.

Nice going, Sheriff Penrod, and nice role modeling for other Sheriffs as well.

If you want to thank Sheriff Penrod:

Sheriff's Department

Gary Penrod, Sheriff
655 East Third Street
San Bernardino,  CA  92415-0061

Telephone: (909) 884-0156
Fax: (909) 387-3402
Website   E-mail

[texastoo]

If George Bush can take on the Hitler-like Saddam Hussein, then surely he can take on the pacifist Vicente Fox.

Wouldn't it be nice if all sheriffs would follow suit and uphold our laws?

[Psycho_Bunny]

Councilman Bob Hunter said his vote was to support the general concept of the cards, not this particular program.

And there you have it folks - in one tidy, short sentence - the fundamental problem with our leaders.

[Nea Wood]

I just emailed the sheriff and thanked him. It's nice to know not EVERYONE in California has gone totally insane!

[PatrioticAmerican]

Honoring Mexican ID as a form if legal immigration card seems to me to be treason. It seems to be establishing the Mexican government as an authority on American soil.

[ought-six]

"If you dare say anything about illegal immigration, your can be sure that you'll be shut up quickly by being labeled as racist."

I don't give a damn what anyone calls me. This is my country and I don't want illegals form ANY country here! If they want to come here, they can go through the legal process like my mother did. These illegals spit on her by not only coming here illegally but flaunting it!

[B4Ranch]

Perhaps the hispanic-only surnames of the current list of wanted murder and rape suspects in SB County has something to do with this sheriff's reluctance to accept the Matricular ID's!

Didn't bother the Sheriff in LA County. He probably sees it a job security.

LA Most Wanted

[Ches]

"This is my country and I don't want illegals from ANY country here!"

I agree. I could care less what I'm called for my views on illegal immigration.

Madfly, I've been passing some of these posts on to the "they're just hard working, family-oriented people who do the jobs Americans won't do" crowd. Some of them are now anti illegal immigration while some are just starting to see the light. Thanks for all the pings.

[Bill Davis FR]

DEPORT ILLEGALS...

[nanny]

Thanks Madfly for keeping me on the ping list - I assure you I read them all.

[Tancredo Fan]

Perhaps the hispanic-only surnames of the current list of wanted murder and rape suspects in SB County has something to do with this sheriff's reluctance to accept the Matricular ID's!

Possession of one of those laughable pieces of crap issued by the despicable Mexican government should be cause for immediate arrest and prompt removal from the country, IMO. Any LEO who endorses the funky Mexican ID is a traitor, or at least has a screw loose. Mexico is 1,000 times worse than Iraq was when Saddam was running, and Vicente's ditch should have been dealt with first.

The fact that Washington has refused to ban acceptance of IDs issued by vile Mexico should be remembered in November, 2004. Not outlawing those things puts us all in danger.

Fax Sheriff Penrod a thank you note for refusing to accept 'Pancho Villa' ID cards at (909) 387-3688.

[Ima Lurker]

How did this insanity take hold and spread so quickly?

Excellent question! One that I don't have an answer too. Even W is soft on illegals and I just can't understand it. I'll never believe that we can't control our borders if we really wanted to.

[SamiGirl]

You're right and I agree with you. My parents came here from Europe legally and had to wait for their papers to clear, were tested to make sure they were disease-free, and had to be guaranteed employment to make sure they wouldn't end up being supported by the state.

[FITZ]

It seems to be establishing the Mexican government as an authority on American soil.

It seems like discrimination on the basis of national origin if documents produced by the Mexican government are accepted but not from all other countries. It's bizarre that we're handing over immigration control to the very corrupt Mexican government ---where a big enough bribe can buy you about anything.

[madfly]

you're welcome

Thanks for passing on the info.

[madfly]

You are welcome. Thanks for your comments that help people to see the facts more clearly.

[SandRat]

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department will not recognize Mexican-issued identification cards, despite Victorville City Council's unanimous endorsement of the cards earlier this week, officials said Thursday.

Was it not reported some time back that the Feds lost to a Sheriff who would not let them conduct investigation in his County and the Courts held that he was right? The Feds had to ask his permission and keep him informed as he was the Law in the county. Was not that case outcome posted on FR? If some one can find it in the FR archives please send it to the Sheriff who is doing what is right? That may help him tell the City to get lost or maybe enable him to bring charges against the City Council for aiding in a crime with all that go along with a charge like that.