HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

122

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO EXAMINE POSSIBLE WAYS OF CONFIRMING THE IDENTIFICATION OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS.

 

 

WHEREAS, the ability to provide reliable and accurate identification is a basic necessity for all citizens of the State; and

WHEREAS, whether it is for consumer purchases or conducting simple business transactions, providing identification is essential to everyday life; and

WHEREAS, especially since September 11, 2001, the ability to prove one's identity in a more security-conscious society has increased in importance; and

WHEREAS, certain segments of our society, however, are at a disadvantage due to their inability to provide reliable identification upon demand; and

WHEREAS, Mexican immigrants in Hawaii constitute one such segment of the community that faces daily adversities because they lack proper identification; and

WHEREAS, one possible solution for Mexican immigrants is the use of "matricula consular", an identification card issued by the government of Mexico to Mexican citizens that establishes their nationality and identity; and

WHEREAS, the matricula consular can encourage Mexicans to report crimes and cooperate with law-enforcement officials instead of fearing detention because they lack the proper identification; and

WHEREAS, before any formal attempt is made legislatively to accept matricula consular as a valid form of identification, more information is needed to see if other solutions are available to the State; and

WHEREAS, the Attorney General is charged with regulating civil identification issues under part 2, chapter 846, Hawaii Revised Statutes; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that the Attorney General is requested to examine the issues related to confirming the identification of Mexican immigrants in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to examine possible ways of confirming the identification of Mexican immigrants, including the use of a matricula consular card; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Attorney General is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Requests the Attorney General to examine possible ways of confirming the identification of Mexican immigrants.