Absinthe & Cookies (a bit bitter, a bit sweet)

And... Lacking An Ounce Of Sense

Old ID Card Gives New Status to Mexicans in U.S

In East Chicago, Ind., immigrants with the Mexican identification card, known as the matrícula consular, can now borrow library books and arrange city water services. In Cincinnati, police officers accept the card from crime victims, witnesses and suspects.

In Indianapolis, immigrants carrying the matrícula card can apply for building licenses and permits to drive taxis and operate vending carts.

Are any of our officials at all serious about controlling illegal activity? Not only are they not serious, they encourage it!

.... Emboldened by the changing climate, Mr. Montes de Oca recently carried his card into the red brick offices of National City Bank, which started wooing undocumented immigrants with matrícula cards last year.

Within minutes, he had his first checking account and debit card.

"It makes me feel good to see the matrícula accepted in so many places," said Mr. Montes de Oca, 29, who was rejected when he tried to open a bank account last year because he lacked a Social Security number. "This makes me feel welcome."

It makes him feel welcome. A man who is breaking our laws, encouraged to do so by our government bodies and businesses, feels welcome now.

Officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security say this is worrisome because they believe the card is vulnerable to fraud and misuse by criminals and terrorists, a contention that Mexican and some American officials dispute.

[....]

"Any federal government acceptance of unreliable identification cards from persons resident in the United States compromises our homeland security," wrote the four Republicans, including F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

But is anyone listening?

Posted by Ithildin at August 25, 2003 5:45 PM | PROCURE FINE OLD WORLD ABSINTHE