Just another version of driver's licenses for illegals

August 22, 2002

ATLANTA: The Southeastern Legal Foundation today warned DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones that illegal aliens should not be granted permission to transact business with county government with the use of the controversial "matricula consular," or so-called "Mexican consular identification."

"Those who possess a matricula consular are virtually admitting that they are in the U.S. illegally, which means they are violating ever-stricter federal immigration laws," said Phil Kent, SLF President. "A legal resident would have a state-issued driver's license, a valid guest worker would have a green card, and a legitimate visitor would have a visa issued by the State Department. Local and state governments should not give permission to illegal aliens to break federal law."

Kent points out that SLF's work with U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), chairman of the U.S. House Immigration Reform Caucus, has resulted in suspended attempts in nearly a dozen states to move forward with driver's licenses for illegals. "Last year, we were able to stop Gov. Roy Barnes from moving forward with a proposal to allow illegals to obtain driver's licenses in Georgia," said Kent. "He saw the light on the stupidity of granting state identity documents to federal lawbreakers. DeKalb CEO Jones, and others like him around the state, should take a lesson."

Kent also points out that untracked illegal aliens - including those doing business with consular ID's - do not undergo even the most basic criminal background checks performed by U.S. and state authorities for visa and driver's license applicants. "The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service is now uncovering vast networks of illegal immigrant smuggling - including Islamic extremists - who are entering the U.S. and getting Mexican consular ID's," said Kent. "This is truly a matter of national security."

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