Undocumented immigrants denied U.S. birth certificates for children born in Texas

An amicus brief was filed Monday evening by the Mexican government over the denial of U.S. birth certificates of illegal immigrant children born in Texas.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - According to Fox News, denials of birth certificates were due to the nonacceptance of "matriculas" -ID cards issued by the Mexican Consulate- as proof of identity by the county's registrars. Consequently, the Mexican government warned that the denials could damage the relationship between Mexico and Texas.

"[It] not only jeopardizes their dignity and well-being, but could threaten the unique relationship between Mexico and Texas," said the Mexican government. The lawsuit was filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid against the Department of State Health Services, in behalf of the coalition of the undocumented immigrant parents who were reportedly denied their children's U.S. birth certificates.

Texas Tribune reported denials of birth certificates were due to the lack of a valid form of identification -a U.S. visa or consular identification card. Matriculas were not viewed as valid documents as proof of identity, prompting the Mexican government to request Texas to clarify what two forms of ID it will accept to allow children U.S. birth certificates.

"Conversely, expressions of doubt about the integrity of documents issued by a friendly country introduce a troublesome and discordant element into binational or transnational relations," stated the 19-page court document.

Meanwhile, the Texas attorney general's office, representing Texas state department, asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit. They claimed that the agency is protected from the litigation as stated in the 11th Amendment, which under its sovereign immunity provision cannot be sued in federal court, not having waived that right.

The brief specified that it is in support of the request for an emergency injunction in requiring the state to identify two forms of "reasonably and actually accessible" IDs for the parents.   

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