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Pelosi:
Republican Vote to Restrict Use of Matrícula Consular Shows
GOP Pro-Hispanic Rhetoric Doesn't Match Reality
July
15, 2003
Washington,
D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi today released the
following statement on the Republican amendment to the Foreign Relations
Reauthorization Act, which would restrict the use of the Mexican
Consulates identification card, the Matrícula Consular.
The measure, introduced by Republican Reps. John Hostettler (R-IN),
Elton Gallegly (R-CA) and Thomas Tancredo (R-CO), passed by a vote
of 226 to 198.
"I am outraged that the Republican majority has again brought
an anti-Hispanic measure to the House floor.
"The Matrícula
Consular is internationally recognized as a valid form of identification,
much like the consular registration issued by the U.S. State Department
to our citizens living abroad. It allows many Mexican immigrants
to open bank accounts and participate in other activities for which
they pay taxes and contribute to the American economy. And the Mexican
government has demonstrated to Congress that the Matrícula
is secure.
"We in
San Francisco know that the Matrícula Consular works. The
pilot program in the San Francisco Federal Building was a success
until the Republicans stopped it.
"America
has been blessed by the beauty of our diverse immigrant community.
From that beauty flows our strength, our boundless creativity, and
our versatility. As a nation of immigrants, we need to ensure that
newcomers have basic access to our government. We wont give
up until the Matrícula Consular is recognized.
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