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County
passes resolution supporting use of the matricula consular
The
Lucas County Commissioners—Tina Wozniak, Pete Gerken, and Maggie
Thurber—considered the passage of some recognition of the matricula
consular (Mexican ID card) in
Lucas
County
on Tuesday, at
One
Government
Center
.
The resolution
stated, in part,
“Whereas,
due to the significant Hispanic population in
Lucas
County
and
Northwest Ohio
, this Board deems it in the
public interest to permit the ‘matricula consular’ to be used
as a form of personal identification, as a supplement to the
federally required identification, in business conducted
between the public and County government.”
The
resolution passed 2 to 1, with Commissioners Gerken and Wozniak
voting for the resolution and Commissioner Thurber
“regretfully” voting “no.”
Commissioner
Thurber had offered a modified version to the resolution earlier,
with the understanding that the use of the card would be
recognized in all circumstances in addition to any other
U.S.
identification that would be
required by the particular organization or institution.
The
passed resolution authorized the use of the card in circumstances
where additional
U.S.
or state identification may not
be required, such as in cases of emergencies or at a library.
Attorney
John Borrell of the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office
representing the county commissioners, informed the commissioners
that the resolution was in line with the authorities vested by the
state of
Ohio
in the Ohio Revised Code.
Commissioner
Thurber felt otherwise, stating ‘it has been my understanding
that commissioners can not act unless the revised code
specifically makes such an authorization, which it does not.’
Commissioner
Thurber stated that the issue was complicated and that she was
concerned with the matter of illegal immigration. She also
believed that there was no need for the card.
Commissioner
Gerken stated that while
Lucas
County
was not an arm of the Mexican
government, the need for the card had been shown in this global
economy and that he would vote for such a resolution as he had
done some three years earlier while on Toledo City Council.
The
city of
Toledo
passed such a resolution some
four years ago.
Commissioner
Gerken stated that he was aware of the struggles of the Latino
community, which was an important part of the entire community in
Lucas
County
. Commissioner Wozniak concurred.
The
matricula consular is recognized in some fashion in 178 banks, 163
counties, 377 cities, and 1180 police and sheriff departments in
the
United States
, according to the Mexican
Consulate. A summary copy of the matricula consular can be
downloaded from here.
In
a conversation with Major John Tharp of the Lucas County
Sheriff’s Office, “peace officers need all the identification
they can get and the matricula consular is such identification.”
Tharp is a former Toledo Police Officer and now is with the
sheriff’s department.
In
northern
Ohio
, the cities of
Fostoria
,
Toledo
,
Cleveland
,
Cincinnati
, and
Columbus
have recognized such cards; so
has the
county
of
Sandusky
and the Sandusky County
Sheriff’s Offices.
Mexican
Consul Antonio Meza of the consulate office based in
Detroit
and having jurisdiction in
northern
Ohio
was on hand to answer any
questions. So were various members of his staff.
Some
anti-immigration groups have opposed the card, but none were
present during the presentation and passage of the resolution,
whereas numerous Latinos and Latino organizations were on hand.
Editor’s
Note: Lucas County Commissioner Maggie Thurber speaks with La
Prensa on comparisons concerning her public life as a clerk and as
a commissioner y más.
Associated
Links:
MCAS
Resolution
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