Indiana to recognize official Mexican IDs

Indiana on Tuesday became one of the few states to accept a controversial Mexican identification card, one seen by some as helpful to immigrants but criticized by others as a tool for fraud.

Gov. Frank O'Bannon said state agencies will recognize the matricula consular as valid identification for Mexican nationals living in the state.

The government IDs enable Mexican immigrants to perform such tasks as opening bank accounts, getting driver's licenses, enrolling children in schools and turning on utilities in many parts of the country.

The state's recognition of the card, which can be issued to Mexicans regardless of their legal status, has no impact on a person's immigration status and does not allow access to services to which that person isn't entitled. For instance, a Mexican immigrant who has the card but is in the United States illegally should not be able to get a driver's license or be able to vote.

The state's announcement came just 15 days after Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said the city would join more than 400 other municipalities, 900 law enforcement agencies and 100 financial institutions across the country that recognize the identification cards issued by Mexican consulates throughout the United States.

But just three days after Peterson's announcement, an FBI official said the cards are "not a reliable form of identification" and can be easily obtained fraudulently. During testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee hearing chaired by Indiana Republican John Hostettler, Steve McCraw, assistant director of the FBI Office of Intelligence, called the cards a serious criminal and terrorist threat.

The Bush administration has not yet taken a position on the cards, but officials from the State and Homeland Security departments said they hope to come up with recommendations "as quickly as possible."

I recently emailed Indy Mayor Bart Peterson about these cards, telling him that I hoped that acceptance of these cards would not help illegal aliens stay in Indiana.

Here is his email back to me (yes, I used my real name):

>From: "City of Indianapolis" >To: >Subject: Thank you for your message >Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2003 16:56:20 -0500

July 11, 2003

Dear Mrs. Reagansshinyhair: >

Thank you for your correspondence. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this important issue with you. >

Throughout the years, Indianapolis has opened its doors to newcomers from all walks of life and from all corners of the world. Recognizing matricula cards is yet another step that will help pave the way into mainstream society for our new neighbors. As you may be aware, U.S. Senator Richard Lugar was among the first individuals to support this initiative. Mayors Robert Pastrick of East Chicago and Graham Richard of Fort Wayne say their cities will also recognize Mexican ID cards. >

Matricula consular are cards issued by the government of Mexico at consular offices in the United States that identify the cardholder as a Mexican national living abroad. The cards can be used for routine, day-to-day identification purposes, such as obtaining a bank account or purchasing goods and services. The cards do not change laws related to immigration or legalize undocumented aliens, but can help Mexican residents enter mainstream life more smoothly. The cards contain security safeguards, designed to prevent falsification. >

Most transactions with city government do not require a resident to present an ID card, but the Mexican ID will help communication between Mexican residents and law enforcement, fire and emergency responders and >health care professionals. It also can help boost the Indianapolis economy by helping Mexican residents invest in the community by opening savings accounts and purchasing goods from local companies and vendors.

To obtain an ID card, Mexican nationals must fill out an application at the consulate and produce an original birth certificate; an original, valid identification issued and stamped by an official Mexican authority and containing a photograph of its holder; and a residence certificate. > >

Thank you for writing. >

Sincerely, > >

Bart Peterson > >

BRP/ejr > >

And here is my response to that:

Well, this is a little confusing, because you say that illegal aliens can't get these cards, yet this article from the indystar claims that illegal aliens can in fact obtain these cards.

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/2/056652-7752-102.html

Which is correct? In either case, I have to wonder about the point of accepting these ID cards when legal aliens can obtain a valid Indiana ID card just by producing a birth certificate and green card equivalent. Why is an Indiana ID card suddenly not enough for a legal resident? This is my most pressing question.

What especially concerns me about the indystar article is this part detailing the FBI's viewpoint, "an FBI official said the cards are "not a reliable form of identification" and can be easily obtained fraudulently. During testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee hearing chaired by Indiana Republican John Hostettler, Steve McCraw, assistant director of the FBI Office of Intelligence, called the cards a serious criminal and terrorist threat."

I can assure you that I will not be voting for any candidates which make it easier for illegal immigration and possible terrorist cells to infiltrate my home state and country. I want the best for my family and neighbors (regardless of their race or citizenship status), and the best for Indiana and the U.S.

I and others like myself will be carefully monitoring what the federal government has to say about the possible impact of accepting and promoting these ID cards.

Sincerely, Reagansshinyhair

I did not even go into all the bad aspects of illegal immigration, because I knew that would just get the emailed ignored. I'm actually surprised that I got a response at all.

I agree!

Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies

Indiana to recognize official Mexican IDs

Posted by seamole to Jerr
On News/Activism 07/10/2003 1:43 AM CDT #5 of 12

Indiana on Tuesday became one of the few states to accept a controversial Mexican identification card, one seen by some as helpful to immigrants but criticized by others as a tool for fraud.

Gov. Frank O'Bannon said state agencies will recognize the matricula consular as valid identification for Mexican nationals living in the state.

The government IDs enable Mexican immigrants to perform such tasks as opening bank accounts, getting driver's licenses, enrolling children in schools and turning on utilities in many parts of the country.

The state's recognition of the card, which can be issued to Mexicans regardless of their legal status, has no impact on a person's immigration status and does not allow access to services to which that person isn't entitled. For instance, a Mexican immigrant who has the card but is in the United States illegally should not be able to get a driver's license or be able to vote.

The state's announcement came just 15 days after Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson said the city would join more than 400 other municipalities, 900 law enforcement agencies and 100 financial institutions across the country that recognize the identification cards issued by Mexican consulates throughout the United States.

But just three days after Peterson's announcement, an FBI official said the cards are "not a reliable form of identification" and can be easily obtained fraudulently. During testimony before a U.S. House subcommittee hearing chaired by Indiana Republican John Hostettler, Steve McCraw, assistant director of the FBI Office of Intelligence, called the cards a serious criminal and terrorist threat.

The Bush administration has not yet taken a position on the cards, but officials from the State and Homeland Security departments said they hope to come up with recommendations "as quickly as possible."

Of Indiana's 214,536 Hispanic residents, 153,042 -- about 71 percent -- are from Mexico, according to the 2000 census. Of the 33,290 Hispanic residents in Marion County, 22,810 are Mexican. City officials and others who work with the growing Hispanic population consider the actual county numbers to be significantly higher.

O'Bannon is aware of the national debate over the cards, said spokeswoman Mary Dieter, "but he believes some identification is preferable to none."

Dieter said the governor also believes the cards are secure, incorporating the best available technology and safety features. Some state agencies, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Indiana State Police, have previously accepted the cards.

Dan Stein, executive director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform -- America's largest immigration reform organization, with more than 70,000 members in all 50 states -- says accepting the ID is a mistake. He said the state's action will aid thousands of people who are in the country illegally.

Stein called O'Bannon's action unprecedented for a state government, but McCraw's testimony indicated at least 13 other states recognize the ID cards for at least some purposes.

Indianapolis resident Bob Barber, who heads the Indiana-based grass-roots group Americans for Legal Immigration, said he will sue the city and state because accepting the cards promotes violations of the law.

"We told the governor in November we would sue if the state recognized the ID cards," Barber said. "Their attitude was, 'Go away.' "

Barber, who is married to a Mexican native, said he has nothing against Mexicans or immigration. His beef is with special rights being granted -- "with a wink" -- to undocumented immigrants and the Mexican government, while the same rights are not extended to other Hispanic immigrants or even U.S. citizens.

Other opponents agree.

"No federal agency is able to verify the security of these cards, and there are many stories of people begin caught with multiple cards," said Dave Gorak, of the Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration, in Lombard, Ill.

"The cards are a not-so-subtle attempt to circumvent immigration laws. If a person is in this country legally, they don't need one for identification. They will have many other documents for that."

Sergio Aguilera, consul general of the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis, which serves Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, said opponents are wrong.

"Any Mexican citizen that is here can and should have a matricula. Our basic principle in issuing them is to know which Mexicans are here, where they live, where they came from and what they are doing here," said Aguilera. "Knowing that type of information is a normal procedure for consulates of all countries all over the world."

Aguilera added he believes the cards are just as secure, if not more so, than a U.S.-issued driver's license.

The Mexican government has distributed more than 1 million consular IDs from its 47 consulate offices in the United States since March 2002.

Felipe Delarosa, 53, a Mexican who has lived legally in Indianapolis for four years, said he uses his matricula as identification when dealing with banks, public agencies and the consulate, where he went Tuesday to register the birth certificate of his daughter.

"It has helped me personally in many different things," he said.

Call Star reporter Tim Evans at 1-317-444-6204.

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