Non-US identification documents, such as Mexico's
matricula consular, are depended on by many recent
immigrants to the United States.  During the past 22
months, American state-issued identification has
become significantly more difficult to obtain, even
for immigrants who reside in the United States
legally but who may lack experience with the
United States' language and culture.  As a result,
many recent immigrants must depend on non-US
identification papers.  Forcing these people out
of mainstream banks would create a black-market
banking system which would invite abuses by people
who would prey on poor and uneducated immigrants.

In order to prevent the abuses which would surely
occur within any black-market banking system,
non-US identification documents should continue
to be accepted for the purpose of opening bank
accounts in the United States.

Matthew Belmonte
[address]