Thread: Consulate reservations draw 200 in Des Moines

desmoinesregister.com

Mexican ID cards will be issued

The documents can be used to open bank accounts, enroll in libraries or board airplanes.

By DANA BOONE
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Officials from the Mexican Consulate in Omaha will visit next month to issue identification cards to Mexican immigrants.

"An identification card is a good thing," said Ann Naffier , an immigration specialist with the American Friends Service Committee, which will host the event. "It helps you know who you're dealing with."

The Mexican government issues the matricula consular to its citizens living in the United States whether they are here legally or not. Immigrants can use the ID cards, which have been criticized by anti-immigration groups as flouting U.S. laws, to open bank accounts, enroll in libraries and board airplanes.

Consulate officials will issue 200 consular cards and 30 passports.

But first, people must wait in line Saturday for tickets that will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis at the American Friends Service Committee office at 4211 Grand Ave.

Those who get a ticket will then be entitled to get the matricula consular from consulate officials from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Hola Center, 618 E. 18th St.

"It's a great benefit to have the card," said Lilia Tinajero of Des Moines, who used her card to open an account at Wells Fargo Bank.

"Before, you couldn't open bank accounts for not having an ID, and now you can. It makes you feel more secure."

Des Moines resident Richard Miller , 60, said he opposes ID cards that allow undocumented immigrants to gain access to banking and other services. He criticized the businesses that accept the cards.

"I don't feel that we should cater to them like we do," he said. "It's just not right."

Miller isn't the only one who feels that way. U.S. Rep. Steve King, who was in Des Moines last month for an immigration control forum, has voted against legislation on the use of the matricula consular and has said the cards can be forged, used fraudulently or used by terrorists.

The card shows the date of birth, photograph and the address of the card holder.

Participants can also request passports during the visit by the consulate officials.

Miller said the cards help people who are here illegally, which is unfair to those who are here legally.

"I was born and raised here. They expect me to obey the law," Miller said. "Why should they get by?"

Said Consul of Mexico Jose Luis Cuevas in Omaha: "It should be stressed that the consular identification card is not any type of document that indicates or is related to the individual's legal status in the United States. It has nothing to do with immigration."

The ID card costs $27 and is valid for five years. To get the card, two forms of identification â€â€

Some larger cities such as Chicago are beginning to issue more passports than consular cards because of the U.S. Real ID Act, which would prevent state legislatures from issuing driver's licenses to people who aren't U.S. citizens or lawful residents, Cuevas said

So now, Knowing that they are Issueing passports. That will make the Mexican passport worthless too.

Said Consul of Mexico Jose Luis Cuevas in Omaha: "It should be stressed that the consular identification card is not any type of document that indicates or is related to the individual's legal status in the United States. It has nothing to do with immigration."

Well, he is correct in that the consular card has nothing to do with immigration. However, it does have much to do with illegal entry and illegal residency because as long as businesses and institutions accept it as valid ID it makes illegal residency less burdensome and more attractive and actually contributes to encouraging illegal immigration.

I don't understand the part about illegal aliens using passports to get drivers licenses. If I remember correctly, the RealID act also has a provision requiring that any license issued must expire when the work/tourist/student visa expires. If the applicant doesn't have a current visa, then the state shouldn't issue a license -- it seems to me.

If I were to be significantly damaged (as in being shot, drunk driver, etc.) by one of these illegal aliens I would think that AFSC would be at least partially responsible if it could be shown they aided the illegal. AFSC should then be sued.

It would be helpful to have a database listing businesses, like Wells Fargo, that contribute to the illegal immigration problem so that they can be avoided.

I doubt that the matricular consular cards can be used to board planes under the Real ID act. The point of the act was to prohibit states from issuing drivers licenses based on the matricular consular cards (or other suspect ID) and then using the license to board planes. I hope the federal government wouldn't then be stupid enough to accept the card directly -- but who knows.

Is there Spanish radio in Omaha and Des Moines yet? When will Mexicana Airlines start direct service to these cities from Mexico City?

http://desmoinesregister.com

Consulate reservations draw 200
Mexican officials to issue ID cards, passports in D.M.

By MEGAN HAWKINS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

September 25, 2005

Manuela Hernandez de Pacheco, No. 103, sat across the table from Carlos Rios as he explained the paperwork she will need next weekend to apply for a passport.

Hernandez listened calmly and asked questions of the volunteer before moving aside for the next person from the busy waiting room.

Staff from the Mexican Consulate in Omaha will be in Des Moines next weekend to issue passports and matricula consular identification cards to Mexican citizens living in the United States.

Consulate officials visit Des Moines only once every several months. Each time, people flock to the designated Iowa site. On Saturday, more than 200 people arrived as early as 5 a.m. to stand in line for numbered tickets that will ensure them appointments with consulate staff.

Hernandez and her husband arrived about 6 a.m., they said, in the middle of a downpour.

The rain prompted volunteers at the American Friends Service Committee office to open the doors early to those waiting. By 7 a.m. all the numbers were claimed. People arriving later were turned away and told how to contact the consulate on their own.

Officials can serve only about 200 people because the consulate budget allows them to travel for only one day, said Ann Naffier, an immigration specialist with the American Friends Service Committee, which hosted Saturday's event.

While immigrants can travel to Omaha at any time for consulate services, it's difficult for many who would have to miss work or scrounge for travel arrangements.

Hernandez, 45, of Perry, said it was much easier â€â€