Conferring Legitimacy, This Card Draws a Crowd

Sponsored by a south Orange County nonprofit immigrant advocacy group and the county's Mexican consulate, the event's main attraction was the chance to get a matricula consular.

The card is accepted as valid identification by some banks, health insurers and airlines. The Mexican government issues them mostly to undocumented immigrants for a fee of $26.

"We want to create a consciousness about how you have to live to grow as a person," said Patricia Mariscal, executive director of Unico, United Communities Through Education. The nonprofit's staff set up matricula appointments for 350 immigrants for the Sunday event.

Although Santa Ana is the Orange County city best known for its large Latino community, about twice as many Orange County Latinos live outside that city, Consul Luis Miguel Ortiz Haro said.

"That's why this event makes so much sense," he said. "We are a community spread throughout the county."

With the help of Unico, the consulate program began four years ago and now goes to a different city in the county once a month.

With temporary setups in community centers, consular services are offered in Westminster, La Habra, Costa Mesa and other cities.

Because many immigrants have work-hour restrictions during the week and limited transportation, the consulate's mobile and weekend efforts draw big crowds, he said.

On Sunday, while waiting for their cards, hundreds listened as Citibank employees gave out banking information. Calculators, mugs and fans with the Mexican flag were given out too.

"Even if you don't open it today, open a bank account," Lorena Maae, Citibank's assistant vice president for community relations in O.C., told one group in Spanish. "It's the best way to watch your money and do what is best for your families."

After the Citibank presentation, Albert Salvat of Pacific Real Estate Network of San Juan Capistrano offered advice on homeownership. He told some that they could own a $300,000 home if the sellers paid the escrow closing costs and buyers rented out rooms or shared ownership.

"If you pay $1,100 in rent a month, someone has made $118,800 in nine years, and it wasn't you," Salvat explained.