Where I Stand — Tony Sanchez: An increasing presence

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 8:49 a.m.

Editor's note: In August the Where I Stand column is written by guest writers. Today's columnist, Tony Sanchez, is president of the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce. Sanchez also is a partner with the statewide law firm of Jones Vargas.

MUCH HAS been written about the recently concluded 2003 state legislative session -- or I should more accurately say sessions -- and the resulting impact on Nevada residents. Whether the debate centered around taxes, education, health care or anti-terrorism measures, there were significant legislative policy gains.

Many of these issues directly impacted our state's Latino and minority communities. While many were not as extensively debated and did not receive the same amount of attention as some of the more high-profile measures, they similarly will have a positive impact in Nevada.

The measure that engendered the most debate was Senate Bill 312, Sen. Maggie Carlton's legislation authorizing state and local governmental entities to accept foreign consulate cards for the purpose of identifying noncitizens in the United States. Those issued by the Mexican government often are referred to as "matricula consulares."

These cards can be used to open bank accounts, bringing a large segment of our society into our nation's banking system. The local economy, in turn, gets a boost as these residents are able to take advantage of the banking system, potentially enabling them to buy more goods and services from area businesses.

And because these noncitizens are less likely to be carrying in their pockets large amounts of cash once they have bank cards, they aren't as prone to becoming robbery victims. The cards also enhance law enforcement's ability to communicate with crime victims and crime witnesses. Noncitizens with foreign consulate cards don't have to fear reporting a crime because of a lack of identification.

Carlton made several salient points in support of SB312: The legislation did not mandate that local governmental entities accept the identification cards, the identification cards are as tamperproof as any other form of identification used by governmental entities, no U.S. benefits would be authorized by the legislation and, most importantly, the card reinforces national security measures by immediately identifying foreign nationals in the United States.

Aside from the Las Vegas Latin Chamber Commerce, which spoke extensively in favor of the legislation, law enforcement organizations, the Northern Nevada Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a wide array of business interests supported the measure. The Nevada Bankers Association and Wells Fargo testified to the successful and legitimate use of the consulate cards and how they were used to open bank accounts and conduct over-the-counter transactions, highlighting the fact that Wells Fargo had not encountered losses or any instance of fraud in accepting the card during the years it has been accepted.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada Sheriffs and Chiefs Association also testified in favor of the bill. They stated that their agencies were already accepting the consulate card for identification purposes, the issuance of the card had met their security review standards and that, contrary to those opposing the bill, it did not "legitimize" undocumented immigrants.

Nevertheless, those in opposition erroneously and incredibly claimed the legislation would "legitimize" undocumented aliens in Nevada and that passage of the legislation would lead to increased terrorism activities in Nevada and put Nevadans at risk. No evidence was cited for their numerous assertions. Their arguments simply mirrored the discredited assertions used in the past by other national anti-immigrant groups and that are also currently heard locally on fringe AM radio programs.

After a vote of 21-0 in favor of this bill in the full Senate, the Assembly subsequently debated the bill at length, and eventually approved it 27-15. Gov. Kenny Guinn signed the bill into law on June 9 and it will take effect Oct. 1, 2003. It should be noted that the U.S. Treasury Department recently issued draft regulations pursuant to the U.S. Patriot Act establishing procedures under which banks will be permitted to continue accepting the consulate cards.

Another noteworthy bill was Assembly Bill 223, Kelvin Atkinson's bipartisan legislation that requires vehicle dealers, which advertise they conduct business in Spanish, to provide Spanish-speaking patrons the automobile sales agreement translated into Spanish if so requested.

Atkinson testified that his legislation was not only good for the purchaser, but also for the seller as it would help to avoid misunderstandings during the sales transaction. The Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association supported this measure. These auto dealers noted they already provide a buyers' guide in Spanish.

The Assembly approved the measure 42-0, the Senate by a vote of 14-6, and it was signed into law by the governor on June 9. The legislation already is in effect.

A final legislative measure focusing on our state's minority community was Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio's bipartisan effort that successfully led to the creation of the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs. The Commission will address issues affecting the social and economic welfare and well-being of minorities, including the availability of employment and how minorities can be encouraged to start businesses. It will also advise the governor on minority issues, including the recommendation of legislation.

The passage of the bills I mentioned represents the increased presence of Nevada's Latino and minority communities. Legislative attention to this community is to be applauded and will only increase along with the population of Nevada's minority community.