CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION NO.  186

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, RECOGNIZING MATRICULA CONSULAR IDENTIFICATION AS LEGAL IDENTIFICATION FOR MEXICAN CITIZENS.

            WHEREAS, 47 cities across the nation, as well as the Mexican Consulate or EI Consulado General de Mexico, issue identification cards to Mexican nationals who have a birth certificate, a proper form of Mexican identification, and who have been residing in the United States for at least six months; and

            WHEREAS, the Mexican Consular identification cards, or Matricula Consular, are state-of-the-art, and contain various security safeguards designed to prevent falsification; and

            WHEREAS, there are many Mexican nationals residing in Burien who do not possess a form of identification issued by a United State federal or state agency; and

            WHEREAS, many Mexican nationals living in Burien do not possess a form of personal identification recognized by public agencies or private institutions; and

            WHEREAS, these residents often lack access to public services such as the use of public libraries, daycare programs, youth programs, programs for senior citizens, or other services related to housing and healthcare because they do not possess the appropriate identification; and

            WHEREAS, many immigrants are fearful of reporting crimes to the police because they do not possess proper identification; and

            WHEREAS, if Mexican citizens possess a Matricula Consular, they are better able to establish their identities for business transactions such as check cashing and for social services such as youth programs; and

            WHEREAS, if Mexican citizens possess a Matricula Consular, they are better able to establish their identities for law enforcement purposes with local peace officers; and

            WHEREAS, if a Mexican citizen possesses a Matricula Consular, he or she will be more likely to report crimes and cooperate with law enforcement officers; and

            WHEREAS, if a Mexican citizen who possesses a Matricula Consular is able to establish his or her identity to city personnel, he or she will have better access to public services;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.    The City Council recognizes the need for identification for Mexican Nationals, and encourages the use of the Matricula Consular.

Section 2.    The City Council of the City of Burien, Washington, will accept the Mexican Consular identification card, known as the "Matricula Consular," as an official form of identification, unless to do so would be contrary to Federal, State, or local laws.

Section 3.  Effective Date. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon passage by the Burien City Council.

ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURIEN, WASHINGTON, AT A REGULAR MEETING THEREOF THIS 24^TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2003.

CITY OF BURIEN

/s/ Wing Woo, Mayor

ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:

/s/ Janice Roegner, City Clerk

Approved as to form:

/s/ Lisa Marshall, City Attorney

Filed with the City Clerk: November 20, 2003

Passed by the City Council: November 24, 2003

Resolution No. 186