FBI Criticizes Mexican Consular I.D. Cards

Los Angeles Times ^ | 6/26/03 - 1352 PT | Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

[Tancredo Fan]

FBI Criticizes Mexican Consular I.D. Cards

The cards, held by more than a million immigrants in Califoria and elswhere, are prone to fraudulent use, the agency tells Congress.

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar
Times Staff Writer

1:52 PM PDT, June 26, 2003

WASHINGTON - The FBI told a congressional panel today that the Mexican consular identification card used by more than 1 million immigrants in California and elsewhere is prone to fraudulent use by criminals and possibly terrorists.

"The Department of Justice and the FBI have concluded that the matricula consular is not a reliable form of identification," said Steven McCraw, assistant director of the FBI's intelligence office. "As a result of these problems, there are ... major criminal threats posed by the cards and (a) potential terrorist threat."

Resembling a driver's license and displaying the bearer's address in the United States, the cards are accepted as valid identification by more than 70 banks, 800 police departments and numerous local governments, including the city of Los Angeles. The California Legislature is considering measures that would require statewide acceptance.

McCraw's testimony brought into the open a debate within the Bush administration, as it struggles to develop a government-wide policy on consular identifications.

Currently, they are not valid for admittance to federal buildings but can be used to board an airline flight. Within the administration, the departments of State and Treasury have taken a tolerant view of the cards, while the FBI is raising strong concerns. The Homeland Security Department is voicing some reservations.

[henderson field]

And an ID issued by the mexican government means exactly what?

[F16Fighter]

"McCraw could not be reached for further comment, as he is on leave pending a sensitivity audit and retraining."

And don't forget the electrodes which shall be attached to his anal glands...

[FITZ]

If the price was right, the Mexican government would sell the names and addresses of all those it sold these cards to, then the FBI would have a very good idea of who all was using these cards.

[texastoo]

I'll take your bet.

When Bush and Fox have their reunion in November, I think we, the American people, are going to have the biggest guilt trip placed on our minds, hearts and souls about all the Mexicans dying crossing the border. Expect amnesty then.

Notice the airline statement was in the bottom of the article. If I remember correctly, 9/11 was about airplanes. So why did we give billions of dollars for airport security and homeland defense if we are going to let the Mexican consulate decide who flies?

[FITZ]

i'd rather see them use american drivers' licenses.

No ---if a state wants to recognize their Mexican driver's license that would be one thing ---but all you need to cross over the border to prove your citizenship is a US drivers license ---that makes border crossing by anyone for any purpose far too easy.

Actually they do that here ---an illegal can show their Mexican drivers license and won't be cited for driving without a license. Same goes for US citizens, we don't need to obtain Mexican drivers licenses when driving in Mexico, we can use our American ones.

[DLfromthedesert]

Yeah, I guess he hasn't heard that in this country we honor "diversity".

[FITZ]

And an ID issued by the mexican government means exactly what?

The Mexican government doesn't use the matricula card for identification, it uses the IFE card ----I don't really see the full reason they are issuing a special card for the purposes of living in the US. If a bank wants to accept real Mexican identification cards, why wouldn't they just use what is used by them in their own country? A Mexican in Mexico does not present a matricula card at all to open a bank account there, it seems like our banks could just accept the same types of ID if they're so eager to allow these accounts.

[PRND21]

Go Bush Go

[texastoo]

Good points Fitz.

[judgeandjury]

"We are a very homogeneous country," said Edgardo Flores Rivas, consul general in Washington. "It would be very difficult for someone to trick us."

Translated: "Mexico is a very racist country. We don't believe in diversity or multi-culturalism. If you're not brown-skinned, you're not welcome here, unless you're a gringo with money. Then you may come to Mexico for just a few days so you can spend your money, and then you must go home!"

[Brian Allen]

Stop pussyfooting around with the American Language -- leave that to the libburrulls.

The invaders and colonizers ACTIONS are "illegal."

The INVADERS and COLONIZERS are CRIMINALS.

And the correct term is therefore: CRIMINAL ALIEN!

And/or: FELONIOUS ALIEN!

[Skywalk]

Today is a strange day, I'm agreeing with the FBI and Charles Schumer!

Man, next thing we'll hear Ramsey Clark embracing market economics.

[Pa' fuera]

The Mexican government doesn't use the matricula card for identification, it uses the IFE card ----I don't really see the full reason they are issuing a special card for the purposes of living in the US. If a bank wants to accept real Mexican identification cards, why wouldn't they just use what is used by them in their own country? A Mexican in Mexico does not present a matricula card at all to open a bank account there, it seems like our banks could just accept the same types of ID if they're so eager to allow these accounts.

That raises an interesting question: Can a Mexican holding a matricula open an account with a Mexican bank. My guess would be no, because the physical address on the document is the illegal's US address.

[Pa' fuera]

said Edgardo Flores Rivas, consul general in Washington. "It would be very difficult for someone to trick us."

in other words, "we wrote the book on corruption, so there's no trick you can come up with that we haven't seen before". I can't disagree with that.

[Crusader21stCentury]

Is it time yet?

[Beck_isright]

"Now will the feds get off their butts and ban these bogus things nationwide?"

Not a chance. Our nation is about to meet 4,000,000 Jose Lopez's and 4,000,000 Rosanne Rossana Danas. Welcome to the dreamworld Marx never thought he would see.

[liberalnot]

i was in tj today at my dentist. i thought about your remarks.

when we go to mexico we immediately buy auto insurance. do illegals buy american auto insurance to drive on american roads?

[Pa' fuera]

when we go to mexico we immediately buy auto insurance. do illegals buy american auto insurance to drive on american roads?

You can buy insurance that is valid in the US in the Mexican border towns, and I think Mexicans can buy US insurance from some US agencies if they meet certain requirements. There is no requirement for them to actually do this, however. No one checks at the border.

Also, there is a California state law mandating that cars crossing into California from Baja had to be in compliance with emission standards, but it has never been enforced. It is too much of an impediment to the free flow of people and goods that California and the feds are aiming for.

[liberalnot]

but do illegals residing in the states buy american insurance?

for example, an illegal living in north carolina and working in the chicken industry probably isn't buying insurance on the border because he came to america without a car. he earned the money for the car later.

[liberalnot]

you never did answer my question--do illegals buy insurance in the united states?

i think not.

i would argue that taxpayers and consumers would benefit from illegals being insured and licensed. everyone on the roads should be contributing to those roads and enforcement.

the f.b.i. questions the authenticity of mexican consular cards, saying that they're easily made.


but you prefer to ignore that they're here.

meanwhile, things are changing. again, the american birthrate is low. this suggests to me that neither political party will do anything about illegals.

also, mexico may be entering a period of lower births itself, which might lessen the numbers coming here.