Despite Republican attempts to restrict the Matrícula Consular identification card, the House of Representatives removed a Republican provision from a spending bill that would have prohibited the Treasury Department from implementing regulations that allow financial institutions to accept matricula consular identification cards as part of a valid customer identification program.  All but 16 Democrats voted in favor of permitting the continued use of the Matrícula card, and the final vote was 222 to 177.

According to a press release, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said that the vote ensured that Mexican immigrants can access the financial system without fear, and that law enforcement and financial institutions can effectively protect the United States.  She said the identification card allows immigrants to contribute to the American economy by opening bank accounts. 

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, who co-sponsored the amendment to remove the provision, said that the passing of the amendment proves that the matricula consular ID card is secure and should be sued as a valid form of identification for those wishing to open a new account.

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.  Many state and local governments, including more than 1,000 police departments, and more than 120 financial institutions in the U.S. recognize it.