The Houston Chronicle reports the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is changing its identification requirements for registering or transferring vehicle titles. Starting next month, DMV will accept ANY government issued photo ID card, including cards issued by foreign governments.  The temporary rules will expire on August 31st of 2013, when DMV will require an American-issued photo ID.

 



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source: United States Government Accountability Office

The temporary rule will allow all photo ID's no matter where they were issued, but it will affect Mexican nationals more than anyone else.

Texas residents with a Mexican government photo ID card issued by a Consulate, a "matricula consular," will be allowed to use their cards to register or transfer vehicle titles for one year.

This change will affect every county courthouse in the state, and as you might expect, local officials don't like it because it's so easy to fake.

What do you think? Is it right - or prudent - to allow people to identify themselves with foreign ID cards?  Is it "unfair" to require non-citizens to use an American photo ID?  It's the same rationale behind requiring a photo ID to vote, and the US Justice Department is fighting Texas tooth and nail over that.  Look for a similar fight over the new DMV rule.

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