Council Allows IDs for Illegal Immigrants

Re “L.A. to Honor Identity Cards From Mexico,” May 15: Since when does the L.A. City Council take on the responsibilities of the federal government and the useless Immigration and Naturalization Service? Allowing any type of legitimacy to those who break our laws is almost treasonous. The council voted to honor the Mexican government’s matricula consular. This will bring another flood tide of illegal immigration, crime, ethnic enclaves and non-English-speaking people here for a free handout. They will never learn the language or our culture or even try to be Americans. The cry of amnesty will be heard, and the INS will twiddle its thumbs.

All noncitizens and illegal aliens should be deported. There has been no medical screening or criminal background check. If we need workers, let them buy a yearly permit. If their country is no good, they should stay there and change it. I am sick and tired of paying taxes to feed, clothe, educate and provide medical services to non-Americans. There are enough Americans who need help, cities to clean up and infrastructure items to repair and replace.

Edwin Lindley Jr.

Pico Rivera

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As a U.S. citizen, I find the continued debate in California over the “official acceptance” of the matricula consular simply embarrassing. U.S. persons cannot be required to carry and show “their papers” on demand.

California is virtually alone among U.S. states in demanding that all applicants for driver’s licenses prove their “legal presence” in a federal immigration sense in order to obtain a driver’s license. As a result, millions of California residents are prevented from obtaining this most commonly accepted voluntary means of identification, even though many of these same immigrants have been issued valid Social Security numbers or other tax ID numbers by the federal government, and many others are simply awaiting adjustments of their immigration status to permanent residency or citizenship.

I can’t decide which makes less sense: the false debate over the validity of optional identity papers or the ridiculous California motor vehicle law that “incentivizes” unlicensed immigrants to drive cars that they can’t insure on our crowded highways.

Mike Stollenwerk

Marina del Rey

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So let me get this straight. We are going to put the security of our country in the hands of another country’s government. Has everyone lost his mind?

Michael Adams

Pacific Palisades