Posted on 03/08/2002 9:04:15 PM PST by Buffalo Bob
An identity card routinely issued by the Mexican Consulate to citizens living in Houston will be considered official identification by Houston police officers.
"Houston police officers are encountering these people on a daily basis -- whether it is as a witness, whether it is as a victim or in some cases as a suspect," Police Chief C.O. Bradford said this week. "I welcome this card as a proof of identification."
More than 130,000 Mexicans living in the Houston area have been issued the document, called a "matricular card." The cards are similar to those often issued by U.S. diplomatic officials to Americans living overseas.
Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity, said Enrique Buj-Flores, the Mexican consul general in Houston.
"It allows the Houston Police Department to know that these are Mexican nationals and that they have been recognized by the Mexican state through its consular representation," Buj-Flores said.
Because their immigration status may be in question, some Mexican citizens have no valid U.S. forms of identification, such as a driver's license.
"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.
Bradford said the document, however, doesn't grant the bearer any diplomatic privilege or is it a "get-out-of-jail-free card."
"It does not exempt anyone as far as them being held responsible for a crime," Bradford said. "It does assist us in determining the proper identity of many of the individuals that Houston police officers come into contact with on a day-to-day basis."
Several area banks also have signed up with the program, Buj-Flores said, and will allow Mexican citizens to open checking accounts using the matricular card as identification.
State Sen. Mario Gallegos Jr., D-Houston, called the decision by city officials and area banks to recognize the matricular card a step in the right direction.
"It is an innovative way for the business community to interact with the Mexican nationals who are here," Gallegos said. "That's a pool out there that hasn't been tapped. They have money and they are willing to spend it and put it in the bank."
Police officials are betting that a more widespread recognition of the matricular card will help cut down on crime. Bradford said almost half of all robbery victims in the Houston area speak Spanish.
Although some victims may fear coming forward because of their legal status in the United States, Bradford said his officers do not work for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
"We do not get involved in citizenship status checks," he said.
Buj-Flores said officers will not share information with U.S. officials. "The data bank is confidential. It is something that the Mexican national voluntarily gives to the consulate," he said.
In 1996 they were called undocumented workers.
In 2002 they are now just called Mexican nationals.
Then why don't they put the illegals on the next bus back to Mexico?
Houston is the first major city in the nation to acknowledge the matricular card as a legitimate proof of identity, said Enrique Buj-Flores, the Mexican consul general in Houston.
Orange County CA law "enforcement" officers also accept this bogus ID.
"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.
Wrong - they are illegals.
of Mexico
Others will follow soon, unfortunately.
What do we do as citizens when our police officials refuse to do the job that they are mandated to do by law? Are we going to have to do the job for them?
But that doesn't matter anymore. Goodbye America. Was nice knowing you.
There's no question...
"These are not vagrants. They are not loitering. They are hard-working citizens," Buj-Flores said.
Just not of citizens of America. They're illegal colonistas,, and should be summarily deported with total asset forfeiture to the INS.
Kiss My VoteWe're a nation strong with immigrants
Who know about fair play;
But you prefer the other ones,
Without an honest day.
I know that you will call me names
But I will not be shy
Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
And kiss my vote goodbye.I don't care if they're from Mexico,
Canada, France or Spain.
I don't care if they swam a river,
Or got here in a plane.
I'm not giving up my country,
No matter how hard you try
Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
And kiss my vote goodbye.Put down your economics,
Your demographics too.
Uphold our laws and borders,
As we elected you.
But if you're thinking otherwise,
We'll know for sure you lie
Hey go ahead, kiss illegals,
And kiss my vote goodbye.You lightly take your promises,
But we will not forget.
Double cross us once again,
Your sun will surely set.
The time has come to send them home,
And I have told you why
But go ahead, kiss illegals,
And kiss my vote goodbye.And if you' think it can't be done,
Then step aside, we'll fight.
It's amnesty or honesty,
Surrender or be right.
So listen, you politicians,
And hear our vengeful cry
Deport your dear illegals,
Or kiss our votes goodbye.
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