Consul to issue ID cards to Mexican nationals

ST. GEORGE — Mexican nationals living in Washington County will be able to get a consular identification card in St. George today during a one-day seminar hosted by the Mexican Consulate in Salt Lake City.

"We want to provide services to our Mexican citizens living here," Mexican Consul Salvador Jimenez said during a visit to Washington County this week. "We are at their service. We come to their door, so to speak."

The Mexican government issues the personal identification document through its consulates around the nation. Consulate staff will be in St. George today to help up to 100 Mexicans obtain the national ID card, which can be used for domestic air travel and to conduct various financial transactions such as opening a bank account.

"The matriculation card is being accepted as a personal identification card for many businesses," Jimenez said. "We have also been assured the Transportation Safety Administration will accept the card at airports for domestic travel."

One group in St. George, the Citizens Council on Illegal Immigration, has repeatedly voiced its opposition to the Mexican ID cards, calling them "bogus." The committee, which usually meets once a month, has advocated taxing the bank accounts of immigrants and issuing ID signs to local businesses that prove no illegal aliens are workingthere.

But Jimenez, who began his position as Mexican consul of the Salt Lake City office about three months ago, said he is confident the government-issued cards cannot be abused.

"We will come in an organized way, and it will be necessary for people to bring the necessary documents to process their request," said the career diplomat.

"We have a new software system with state-of-the-art security. These cards cannot be forged. Our people understand that. We take great care in determining who is issued a matriculation card. We examine their paperwork very carefully."

The Mexican government requires proof of Mexican nationality (birth certificate or passport), proof of address (such as a utility bill), a photograph and a $29 processing fee from those who apply for the matriculation card.

Jimenez said he met this week with St. George Mayor Dan McArthur and Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith to brief them about his plans and to review any concerns.

Both McArthur and Smith said they enjoyed their visit with Jimenez and found him to be a likeable man.