BILL NUMBER: ACR 229    INTRODUCED
        BILL TEXT
[Note: Passed 8/21/02]

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Diaz and Firebaugh
                        JUNE 28, 2002
   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 229--Relative to Mexican
Consular identification cards.

        LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

   ACR 229, as introduced, Diaz.  Mexican Consular identification
cards.
   This measure would urge cities and counties throughout California,
including their respective agencies, to accept the Mexican Consular
identification cards, known as the "Matricula Consular," as an
official form of identification.
   Fiscal committee:  no.



   WHEREAS, There are many Mexican nationals residing in California
who do not possess a form of identification issued by a United States
federal or state agency; and
   WHEREAS, Many immigrants are fearful of reporting crimes to the
police because they do not possess proper identification; and
   WHEREAS, Cities and counties in California waste hundreds of
thousands of dollars annually on police processing time for
immigrants who do not possess proper identification; and
   WHEREAS, Many immigrants lack access to certain public services
because they do not possess proper identification; and
   WHEREAS, In 46 cities across the nation, including 10 in
California, the Mexican Consulate or El Consulado General de Mexico,
issues identification cards to Mexican nationals who have a birth
certificate, a proper form of Mexican identification, and who have
been residing in the United States for at least six months; and
   WHEREAS, The Mexican Consular identification cards, or Matricula
Consular, are state-of-the-art and contain various security
safeguards designed to prevent falsification; and
   WHEREAS, If Mexican citizens possess a Matricula Consular, they
are able to establish their identities to local peace officers and
acceptance of that identification would facilitate their interactions
with law enforcement agencies and reduce the time needed to process
undocumented immigrants, saving time and lowering costs; and
   WHEREAS, If a Mexican citizen possesses a Matricula Consular, he
or she will be more likely to report crimes and cooperate with law
enforcement officers if it is an accepted form of identification; and
   WHEREAS, If a Mexican citizen who possesses a Matricula Consular
is able to establish his or her identity to other city and county
personnel, he or she will have better access to public services; and
   WHEREAS, Acceptance of the Mexican Consular identification cards
will enable many of California's residents to participate in services
such as signing on for power and water service, obtaining senior
citizen discount rates for public transportation, obtaining library
cards, reporting domestic violence, participating in other city and
county programs and services, and having access to local and state
government buildings to meet with elected officials and attend local
government meetings; and
   WHEREAS, Certain cities and counties, including the City and
County of Los Angeles, City and County of San Francisco, City of
Oakland, and the County of Santa Cruz, now accept the Matricula
Consular as official identification cards; and
   WHEREAS, Numerous police and sheriffs departments across
California, including those of the City of San Jose, Orange County,
Sacramento County, San Diego County, and Santa Cruz County, also
accept the Matricula Consular as official identification cards
pursuant to their own departmental policy; and
   WHEREAS, Various United States banks accept this form of
identification, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, California
Credit Union, U.S. Bank, and the California Union Bank, and since
November 2001, Mexican immigrants have opened new bank accounts and
deposited over $50 million in banks throughout California using the
Matricula Consular; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
urges cities and counties throughout California, including their
respective agencies, to accept the Mexican Consular identification
cards, known as the "Matricula Consular," as an official form of
identification; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.                                          

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