Arizona lawmakers have decided state and local governments can no longer accept photo-ID cards issued by foreign consulates as a valid form of identification.
Proponents of the new law, Senate Bill 1465, have been trying to pass the legislation for a number of years, citing the concern that the cards are too easy to fraudulently obtain and they can be misunderstood to imply that a person is legally in the United States.
While the law applies to ID cards from any foreign country, bill sponsor Sen. Ron Gould, R-Lake Havasu City, specifically expressed concern that the Mexican government does not do enough to confirm a person’s identification before issuing the ID cards, an assertion which the Mexican Consulate’s office in Arizona disputes.
In practical application, the law means, effective July 20, individuals cannot present the cards as a form of ID when dealing with a state or local government entity. For instance, the cards could not be used to apply for a library card or municipal utility services.
The law does not prevent private businesses from accepting the cards as valid identification, should they choose to do so.
The new law does not represent a real change for those interacting with the City of Holbrook, according to Holbrook Finance Director Randy Sullivan, who explained that Holbrook has never accepted the cards as a form of ID for those seeking to establish water and waste service with the city. Sullivan said individuals must submit a driver’s license, visa or passport to establish their identification when requesting utility services.
“We’ve never had to turn anyone away because the only identification they could produce was a foreign ID card,” said Sullivan.
The new law does not affect registration at Northland Pioneer College either, as the foreign ID cards were not among those items listed on the college’s Web site as permissible forms of identification.
One state entity that does have to make adjustments based on the new law is the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), which administers a number of public services throughout the state.
Communications Director Steve Meissner said that currently, DES does accept the consular ID cards as a form of identification in some instances, and the agency is working with the Arizona Attorney General’s office to clarify how it needs to adapt.
For instance, if a mother, who is not a citizen of Arizona, were applying for nutritional assistance, or food stamps, for her children, who were born in the United States, under current regulations, she would need to produce the children’s birth certificate to establish their proof of citizenship, and could present her consular photo ID to confirm her identity.
At this time, Meissner said, he doesn’t know what ID a person in that situation would be asked to provide, but expects the Attorney General’s office to provide direction soon.
“We’re seeking guidance to ensure we’re in compliance with the new law, while still providing access to the nutritional assistance program,” said Meissner.
