Mexican Government to Open California Office to Issue IDs to Illegal Aliens

[sjr09 155]

Mexican Government to Open California Office to Issue IDs to Illegal Aliens

The Mexican government has announced its intention to open a satellite consular office on Catalina Island – a resort island off the California coast with a history of drug smuggling and human trafficking. According to media reports, the new consular office will allow Mexican nationals to obtain identification, called Matricula Consular cards, by appointment. Moreover, an unnamed official with the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told The Washington Examiner that Mexico has asked ICE "not to enforce U.S. immigration laws on the island while the cards [are] being issued." (<A href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Mexico-opens-California-office-to-provide-ID-for-illegals-95434969.html">The Washington Examiner, June 3, 2010).

Matricula Consular cards are issued to Mexican nationals residing outside of Mexico, regardless of their immigration status. The ostensible purpose of the cards is to provide identification for opening bank accounts and obtaining other services; however, ICE officials have noted that the cards are often "used to skirt U.S. immigration laws." (Id.). In addition, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has criticized the cards, concluding that they are "not a reliable form of identification." (FBI Testimony, June 26, 2003).

In 2003, an FBI official told a House Judiciary Subcommittee that, as a result of its unreliability, the Matricula Consular poses major criminal and terrorist threats. With respect to the criminal threats, the FBI official noted that (1) "the Matricula Consular can be a perfect breeder document for establishing a false identity" which "serves to conceal a criminal who is already being sought by law enforcement" and (2) that the Matricula Consular helps facilitate "alien smuggling." Regarding the terrorist threat, the official stated: "[t]he ability of foreign nationals to use the Matricula Consular to create a well-documented, but fictitious, identity in the United States provides an opportunity for terrorists to move freely within the United States without triggering name-based watch lists that are disseminated to local police officers." (Id.).

The Mexican government's decision to open the Catalina Island consular office prompted outrage from Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Cal.), whose district includes Catalina Island. Rohrabacher stated: "Handing out Matricula Cards to Mexicans who are not in this country legally is wrong no matter where it's done. But on Catalina it will do more damage. It's a small island, but there's evidence it's being used as a portal for illegals to access mainland California. If there were a large number of Americans illegally in Mexico and the U.S. consulate was making it easier for them to stay, Mexico would never permit it." (Rohrabacher News Item, June 3, 2010; The Washington Examiner, June 3, 2010).

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

the Matricula Consular has been issued by mexico's consulates in the usa for quite a few years - not exactly news it being on some island now.

[ScottThuy 140]

Why not just issue them a new passport...

[sjr09 155]

the Matricula Consular has been issued by mexico's consulates in the usa for quite a few years - not exactly news it being on some island now.

Just pointing out Catalina Island has a history of drug smuggling and human trafficking, not the best place for the US to allow Mexico to set-up shop.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

They've been handing out ids to Mexicans in Colorado for years.

[mawilson 2,133]

that Mexico has asked ICE "not to enforce U.S. immigration laws on the island while the cards [are] being issued."

Now THAT's funny.

[evli1966 88]

an unnamed official with the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told The Washington Examiner that Mexico has asked ICE "not to enforce U.S. immigration laws on the island while the cards [are] being issued."

Whether they been handing them out for years or not it should not be done in the USA for Illegals.

Heck the way ICE works why didn't they just ask for a halt to all immigration laws indefintiely. They wouldn't be asking the laws to be changed would they?

Right.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Just pointing out Catalina Island has a history of drug smuggling and human trafficking, not the best place for the US to allow Mexico to set-up shop.

Two points:

• Mexican government RUNS off (maybe minuscule) "piece of action" from Cartels (of at least both varieties)
• If US government allows this shenanigan, it is skyving anyway

[spookyturtle 9,466]

So then they'd be legal illegals?

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

So then they'd be legal illegals?

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

Mexican Government to Open California Office to Issue IDs to Illegal Aliens

The Mexican government has announced its intention to open a satellite consular office on Catalina Island – a resort island off the California coast with a history of drug smuggling and human trafficking. According to media reports, the new consular office will allow Mexican nationals to obtain identification, called Matricula Consular cards, by appointment. Moreover, an unnamed official with the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told The Washington Examiner that Mexico has asked ICE "not to enforce U.S. immigration laws on the island while the cards [are] being issued." (<A href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Mexico-opens-California-office-to-provide-ID-for-illegals-95434969.html">The Washington Examiner, June 3, 2010).

Matricula Consular cards are issued to Mexican nationals residing outside of Mexico, regardless of their immigration status. The ostensible purpose of the cards is to provide identification for opening bank accounts and obtaining other services; however, ICE officials have noted that the cards are often "used to skirt U.S. immigration laws." (Id.). In addition, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has criticized the cards, concluding that they are "not a reliable form of identification." (FBI Testimony, June 26, 2003).

In 2003, an FBI official told a House Judiciary Subcommittee that, as a result of its unreliability, the Matricula Consular poses major criminal and terrorist threats. With respect to the criminal threats, the FBI official noted that (1) "the Matricula Consular can be a perfect breeder document for establishing a false identity" which "serves to conceal a criminal who is already being sought by law enforcement" and (2) that the Matricula Consular helps facilitate "alien smuggling." Regarding the terrorist threat, the official stated: "[t]he ability of foreign nationals to use the Matricula Consular to create a well-documented, but fictitious, identity in the United States provides an opportunity for terrorists to move freely within the United States without triggering name-based watch lists that are disseminated to local police officers." (Id.).

The Mexican government's decision to open the Catalina Island consular office prompted outrage from Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Cal.), whose district includes Catalina Island. Rohrabacher stated: "Handing out Matricula Cards to Mexicans who are not in this country legally is wrong no matter where it's done. But on Catalina it will do more damage. It's a small island, but there's evidence it's being used as a portal for illegals to access mainland California. If there were a large number of Americans illegally in Mexico and the U.S. consulate was making it easier for them to stay, Mexico would never permit it." (Rohrabacher News Item, June 3, 2010; The Washington Examiner, June 3, 2010).

A foreign country needs US approval to open a Consular Office. If the Mexicans are opening one on the island, it means that Obama & Friends & Felons have already granted approval.

[Darnell 8,478]

Tim - yup.

[jimnlena 8]

Correct Where else you think he is going to find voters??