Many ask: What is a Matricula Card and what is the concern? The full name of this card is the Matricula Consular Card. It is issued by foreign nations to their citizens who are traveling within the USA. The use of these cards has historically been questioned, as all foreign nationals legally in the USA should have a visa and, therefore, they do not need another form of ID while in the country. Roughly two dozen nations currently issue these cards.

Mexico is, by far, the worst abuser of this practice.

There are several problems with the Matricula Card. First of all, it is not a reliable source of identification. It is very easy to obtain, and grants the holder a "valid" appearing ID. The card is being issued en masse by Mexican Consulates across the nation, including the one in Salt Lake City. Very few questions are asked of anyone seeking to obtain this card. Any photo ID will do. Photo ID’’s accepted include a library card, a membership card to Sam’s Club, even a health club, or gym.

NO valid ID is required to obtain a Matricula Card!

The Matricula Card is so unreliable as identification that the National Government of Mexico itself does not accept it for identification purposes. It is useless in Mexico! There are 32 states in Mexico, and 22 of those states refuse to accept it as identification. This should be the end of the discussion but it is not.

Not a single bank in Mexico will accept this card to open an account!

The card is designed for the purpose of being abused by an illegal immigrant. It is a form of "stealth amnesty". When a person has what appears to be a valid ID, they quickly melt into the fabric of society. This is why so many want it, and why Mexico is pushing our government to use it. Prior to September 11th, the Mexican Government was asking President Bush for amnesty for the illegal immigrants in this country. (This is particularly galling.) Their effort was not being received well, so they, the Mexican Government, began to issue these cards as a way to enable their citizens to disappear into our society.

This behavior by Mexico is an issue that strikes at the heart of our society. If Mexico is willing to be honest, the rule of law should be carefully followed. This is certainly not how one nation respects the laws of a neighbor.

Article in NY Times about the Matricula Card

To access this article, it is necessary to be registered with the NY Times.  Here tis!  http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/25/national/25IMMI.html

Tom Ridge's thoughts on the Matricula.  "...Businesses and cities that accept identification cards issued by Mexico to its citizens in the United States do so at their own risk because the documents are not fraud-proof, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said...."

See the complete article at:  http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/nation/6689030.htm