What is the Matricula Consular Card?
The Matricula Consular de Alta Seguridad (MCAS) (Consular Matriculation of High Security) is an identification card issued by the Government of Mexico through its consulate offices to Mexican nationals residing outside of Mexico regardless of their emigration status.[1] Also known as the Mexican CID card, it has been issued since 1871,[2] and cardholders could be either legal or illegal aliens in the foreign country they are residing in.[3] The official purpose of the card is to demonstrate that the bearer is a Mexican national living outside of Mexico. It includes an official Government of Mexico issued ID number and bears a photograph and address of the Mexican National to whom it is issued.
Use of the MCAS cards by illegal aliens weakens the measures established by the U.S. Congress after "9/11 to safeguard American businesses and financial institutions against fraud and abuse".[4] U.S. law enforcement officials also cite that Matricula Consular cards are issued by Mexican Consulate without checking the authenticity of the applicant's supporting documentation.
In a letter to the Homeland Security Secretary, the U.S. House Chairmen of the Homeland Security Committee, the Judiciary Committee, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, & Intellectual Property wrote, that the Matricula Consular "can be a perfect breeder document for establishing a false identity". They warned that criminals could exploit the cards to conceal their identity as well as launder money and write fraudulent checks. They went on to point out that any acceptance of the cards by the Federal government "compromises our homeland security" by providing an opportunity for terrorists to freely move about the U.S., board planes and transfer funds for terrorist activities.[5] (for more info check Wikipedia. .matricula consular card)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 LAKE CTY MATRICULA CONSULAR CARD RESOLUTION
Commissioners' Office, Lake CountyPainesville, OH, October 13, 2005
Commissioner Troy presented the following resolution and moved its adoption.
RESOLUTION ENDORSING USE OF THE MATRICULA CONSULAR ISSUED BY THE MEXICAN CONSULATE FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners hereby finds and determines that all formal actions relative to the adoption of this resolution were taken in an open meeting of this Board of County Commissioners, and that all the deliberations of this Board of County Commissioners and of its committees, if any, which resulted in formal actions, were taken in meetings open to the public, in full compliance with applicable legal requirements, including Section 121.22 of the Revised Code, and
WHEREAS, The Matrícula Consular or Consular ID Card is the official record issued by the Mexican Government to any Mexican individual living abroad. The High Security Consular Registration Document is issued to the petitioner as a proof of citizenship; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of consular registration is to enable consular officers to provide protection and access to consular services, as well as to help relatives and authorities locate Mexican nationals abroad. Consular registration is recognized by international law and consular posts of every country around the world exercise the service to enable consular and diplomatic officers to furnish inherent rights and privileges of citizenship, and
WHEREAS, throughout the country, the consular ID has gained recognition by government and law enforcement officials for the visitors and residents working in its communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners, in and for Lake County, Ohio, hereby endorses the benefits to be derived to Mexican nationals of obtaining and using the Matrícula Consular.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Board is hereby directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the Lake County Auditor; Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap; and to Oscar Antonio de la Torre Amezcua, Consulate of Mexico, 645 Griswold Ave., Suite 830, Detroit, MI 48226.
Commissioner Sines seconded the resolution and the roll being called upon its adoption, the vote resulted as follows:
"AYES": Commissioners: Aufuldish, Sines and Troy
"NAYS": None
Resolution adopted,
Amy Elszasz, Clerk
CLERK'S CERTIFICATION
I, Amy Elszasz, duly appointed Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, do hereby certify that this is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by said Board on October 13, 2005 and recorded in the Commissioners' Journal, Volume 2005.
WITNESS my hand this thirteenth of October, 2005, in Painesville, Ohio.
_________________________________
Amy Elszasz, Clerk
Board of Commissioners, in and
for Lake County, Ohio
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEND THIS LETTER TO YOUR LAKE CTY COMMISSIONERS!!
Commissioner Robert Aufuldish-raufuldish@lakecountyohio.gov
Commissioner Daniel Troy-dtroy@lakecountyohio.gov
Commissioner Ray Sines - rsines@lakecountyohio.gov
RE: 10/13/05 RESOLUTION
Dear Commissioners:
It has come to my attention that the Board of Lake County Commissioners unanimously adopted a Resolution "endorsing use of the Matricula Consular Issued by the Mexican Consulate for identification purposes" on the date referenced above.
I know that this card is not a valid ID and is not accepted by the Lake County Sheriff or the Painesville Police Chief as verifiable identity. I also know that your resolution is in direct conflict with federal law. Those are just some of the objections to the Matricula Card, and you have been apprized of those objections by several citizens of Lake County. Nonetheless, you have failed to withdraw the offensive resolution.
I am a citizen of Lake County, and I am now urging you to immediately withdraw that resolution.
Respectfully,
signed:
date:
address:
