Question of the Month
December
2003
How
many states accept the Mexican government’s identification card as
verification of identity?
According to
the Embassy of Mexico, 14 states accept the Mexican government-issued
"matricula consular," and four are in the Midwest — Indiana,
Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Mexican nationals living in the
United States can go to a Mexican consulate’s office and, if they
are able to show proof of identity, receive an official ID card. The
Mexican government says the "matricula consular" has the
same security features as those of U.S. documents, such as special
paper using colors, patterns and seals; a hologram; and invisible
elements requiring a special decoder to read. These IDs are available
to Mexican nationals living in the United States, whether they are
here legally or not. Acceptance of the card helps these individuals
open bank accounts or participate in various other services.
One contentious issue for states has
been whether to accept the "matricula consular" as
documentation for individuals seeking a driver’s license. Officials
from states issuing licenses to undocumented immigrants say they do so
in order to make the roads safer, arguing that these individuals
should learn the rules of the road and be able to pass written and
driving tests like others who drive. However, since the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks, concerns have risen about the possibility of
driver’s licenses getting into the wrong hands. Various levels of
government are placing an increased emphasis on the integrity of
state-issued driver’s licenses, the only proof of identity needed to
board an airplane.
The Center for Immigration Studies
suggests that states adopt procedures to enhance the security of
driver’s licenses. Specific recommendations include improving the
verification of documents like the "matricula consular" by
requiring that foreign nationals go to designated offices to obtain a
driver’s license. Personnel at these offices would be specially
trained to spot counterfeit documents, and the offices would have
access to certain government databases. The center also recommends
that same-day licenses not be issued to foreign nationals, providing
more time for the verification of documents.
For foreign nationals living legally in
this country on a limited-time visa, the center suggests that states
issue driver’s licenses with the same expiration date as the visa or
passport, rather than the normal four- or five-year license.
For
more information on this or any other public policy issue, please call
630-925-1922 or complete the online
form for research services.
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