Border Security Consular Identification Cards Accepted Within U.s., but Consistent Federal Guidance Needed

Several state & local gov't. agencies & financial institutions accept consular identification (CID) cards, which are issued by foreign gov'ts. to their citizens living abroad. Mexico issued 2+ mill. & Guatemala 89,000 from 2002-03. Critics of CID cards say their acceptance facilitates the unlawful stay within the U.S. of undocumented aliens & may provide opportunities for terrorists to remain undetected in this country. This report examines: (1) the purpose of a CID card & how Mexican & Guatemalan CID cards are being used in the U.S.; (2) steps Mexico & Guatemala have taken to verify the identifies of CID card applicants & incorporate security features in CID cards; & (3) the positions & policies of Fed. agencies regarding CID cards. Illustrations.Ekstrand, Laurie E. is the author of 'Border Security Consular Identification Cards Accepted Within U.s., but Consistent Federal Guidance Needed', published 2004 under ISBN 9780756745615 and ISBN 0756745616.