I wrote an op-ed on a new resolution being considered tonight by Durham.

The city of Durham wants to accept the Matricula Consular as a valid means of ID.  This document is issued by the Mexican government to Mexicans living overseas.

Here are some of the reasons why this is a very bad idea:

Not a Reliable Form of ID

– The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in testimony before Congress stated “that the Matricula Consular is not a reliable form of identification, due to the non-existence of any means of verifying the true identity of the card holder.”

– In 2004, North Carolina recognized the problems with these documents and stopped accepting them as a means of identification at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

– The National Notary Association, just last year, in opposing a California bill allowing the use of these documents argued, “Allowing acceptance of the Matricula Consular will compromise the safety and security of California consumers and undermine the credibility of the state’s Notaries Public.” 

Undermines Enforcement of Immigration Laws

– A legal immigrant must possess a federal-issued document.

– There seems to be a misconception that the Matricula Consular is the only document that can be issued by the Mexican government?but, in fact, a Mexican passport is a perfectly appropriate form of identification.

– The only reason individuals would be compelled to get the Matricula Consular for ID purposes is to hide their true identities or to have an ID that poses no risk of alerting authorities about their illegal status in the country.

– Once the state legislature took action in 2006 to make it more difficult to get a driver’s license, it made it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get that key to enjoy the American life.  The end-run around this obstacle is to allow illegal immigrants to use the Matricula Consular.

– It could allow illegal immigrants to receive business licenses, marriage licenses, library cards, discounts for parks and other city services, and government subsidies. 

Please read my op-ed if you want to learn more.