Posted on 01/13/2003 7:10:20 AM PST by madfly
Just when you thought we were making strides in homeland security comes another frightening reminder of how little seriousness is being placed on monitoring those who enter our borders. Introducing the Howdy Doody ID card -- also known as the Matricula Consular card.
The Matricula Consular (MC) card is not new, but it's gaining increased recognition as more and more politicians and citizens recognize how the MC card could be used by illegal aliens and potential terrorists to gain entry into America. The MC card is essentially an identification card which is issued by Mexican consulates to Mexican nationals. It is not a travel document nor is it a driver's license.
Mexicans who are legally in the U.S. have no need for an MC card because they already possess appropriate identifying documents such as a passport or green card. It is the illegal aliens who are eagerly waiting for their own MC card. As more and more businesses and institutions accept the MC card as a valid means of identification, illegal aliens are going to be more and more likely to use it.
The MC card does not give the bearer any legal status in the U.S. It is simply an ID card. It carries about as much weight as an ID card to the Howdy Doody Fan Club. Perhaps if I put my picture on my Blockbuster card, I could get into FBI headquarters.
According to the Consulate of Mexico in Boston, one of the requirements to get an MC card is to present a valid Mexican birth certificate. Give me $25, and I'll get you a "valid" Mexican birth certificate too. That and a U.S. mailing address are all you need. There are no background checks of any kind involved with getting an MC card. Simply supply the appropriate paperwork, and you have your own Howdy Doody ID card.
If businesses accept the MC card over other forms of valid identification (identification having more requirements) and it is easy to obtain, then we are essentially granting illegal aliens a "legal" status in the U.S. by allowing them to conduct transactions, purchase goods, or whatever else would take place at the accepting business or institution.
Rather than closing loopholes and cracking down on ways for terrorists to enter the country, we are now making it easier through the increased acceptance of the MC card. Now, individuals possessing an MC card can enter and conduct business in federal buildings. We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting the terrorists in.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently issued a statement praising the fact that individuals who carry the MC card will now have access to the Phillip Burton Federal Building and United States Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.
These buildings are headquarters for FBI offices as well as other agencies which may be tempting targets for terrorists. In addition, by accepting the MC card, we are sending the wrong message to illegal aliens. As Americans we should welcome immigrants with open arms, and we do... as long as they enter our country legally. The MC card is but another disincentive to curbing the flood of illegal aliens.
In responding to Rep. Pelosi's statements, Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), a leading advocate in the fight against illegal immigration, is quoted in the Washington Times as saying, "There is no one in the United States of America that needs a [Mexican-issued] ID card other than someone who is here illegally or someone here who is a felon."
The MC card is currently not recognized by the federal government. However, some local governments have elected to accept the MC card as a valid form of identification. This will certainly lead to problems under the "equal protection clause" of the U.S. Constitution which requires that all laws be enforced equally.
The greater acceptance of the MC card also sends the wrong messages to Americans. Are we serious about protecting our borders and fighting the war on terror? Are we serious in cracking down on illegal immigration? Statements by legislators such as Nancy Pelosi send the wrong message.
It's hard enough to fight a war on terror and combat illegal immigration as it is now. Let's not make it any easier.
In all seriousness, what if a lot of genuine citizens started getting these?
If nothing else, the illegals may not use their Matricular ID's if they know the officer/bank etc. will logon to the SS webpage to verify that they are registered, regardless of race, creed or color.
Thanks for the input. A work in progress. One freeper, who works on the road, has been dropping off copies of the SS laws in English and Spanish and has reports that quite a few people come in and read the Law and turn around and leave!
"The benefits of free trade would seem clear, and yet some remain oblivious to the magic and the resilience of opening more markets at precisely the moment history beckons us to take wing and realize the promise of a New World Order in which ideas and commerce are more freely exchanged through the global village. Some seem intent on sticking there collective heads in the sand."
George H. W. Bush, 12-09-2002
"NAFTA at 10"
José Gonzalez marries María Gomez. Sounds simple enough. But María now becomes María Gomez de Gonzalez, so for any official purpose she can be María Gomez, María de Gonzalez, or María Gonzalez, or María Gomez-Gonzalez. or María Gonzalez-Gomez. Even better, for purposes of registering as a Democrat, or collecting benefits, she can be all of those people and have ID to match. Absolutely no problema for María. Muy grande problema for anybody trying to figure out who anybody actually is, or is not.
José Gonzalez himself is actually José Gonzalez y Rodriguez (mother's maiden name), or The same number of variations as above. Their numerous offspring are Gonzalez y Gomez, or not.
When this interesting Hispanic name-game first came to light in NYC's Welfare Department, they had clients receiving benefits under many names ... many many names.
Ah Diversity, ya can't beat it!
As life and its vicissitudes occur in the mundo hispano, one may adjust the old handle in endless permutations from time to time. Latest "americanos" to join in the hispano-handle scam: our friends in the Gypsy, oh gosh excuse me, the Rom community.
ID in one's various names is no problem. Keeping the ID and cover story straight and matching it to the occasion is a challenge. But, then the pay and fringe benefits makes it all worthwhile.
For example, any Gypsy, oh gosh excuse me, Rom, who doesn't collect on at least 4 policies after an auto "accident" runs considerable social risk of being considered a slacker in the tribe .
All of this used to be considered just wry bad humor, even if a bit expensive for the rest of us with one hard ID. But now this laxness in our system has severe security connotations.
Here's a link to O'Reilly and other news shows on Fox. Let's make our voices heard by those that have a large national audience.
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