American cities and states are starting to recognize "matrícula" cards issued by Mexico as valid identification for various civil purposes. This idea may not seem entirely bizarre in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, where there are a few hundred thousand illegal immigrants, but here in California where illegal immigration is actually a huge problem....
In Indianapolis, immigrants carrying the matrícula card can apply for building licenses and permits to drive taxis and operate vending carts. ...And that's a large part of the problem: you're not welcome. It's illegal for you to be here.Many bankers, merchants and politicians have also embraced the card, whose name translates to consular registration, hoping to appeal to the growing number of Hispanic consumers and voters. ...
"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."
Naturally, the FBI and DHS are making some noise about possible fraud and misuse by terrorists, but that's really a fringe issue in my mind. How about simply asking the government to secure our borders and enforce the law? If people want all these immigrants, then we need to have a debate and change the laws.
This month, Cincinnati followed suit. Officials say the move would be a boon to local economies, encouraging Mexican immigrants to pour money into banks and businesses. They also say immigrants with bank accounts will be less vulnerable to criminals who prey on people who carry cash or keep money at home.Most illegal immigrants don't have money to "pour into banks and businesses"; most illegal immigrants are incredibly poor and living off government programs.
"All of us, we try to get the card," Mr. Mondragon said. "It really helps a lot."Go home! That would really help me a lot. At least you don't live in California.
I'm not uncompassionate; I'm sure living in Mexico sucks. But the current situation is an economic disaster, and the burden is falling primarily on the taxpayers of California, New Mexico, and Texas. If our nation wants to allow unlimited immigration from Mexico, then let's pass a law to legalize it. Let's spread the burden around evenly, and divert federal tax dollars to the states that have to pay the heaviest costs.
(Link via Drudge.)
If illegal aliens are in the US and can't find work the US taxpayer ends up paying for them anyway. If the government isn't going to work hard to send them home, then there needs to be a plan to let them contribute to the system the benefit from.
If we straddle the fence and say "they can't work here, but we aren't going to do anything to send them back", it becomes expensive for the government.
Mark: I just noticed this comment.
I agree, I don't know what the optimal solution is, but I'm sure it includes cutting the flow of illegal immigrants. We may not be able to deport every one that's there -- and maybe we shouldn't -- but we can stop new ones from coming.