3 years ago
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A nonprofit group, set up in 2004 to serve the Hispanic community, issues membership cards that some say look too much like official identification that could mislead or wrongly benefit illegal immigrants.
Gabe Holmstrom, a spokesman for the Arkansas Attorney General's Office, says officials are looking into the Malvern-based Latin Community Organization and its cards. "Most often it's Arkansas citizens out there that run into scams or different things that people are doing out there," said Holmstrom.
In August, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel sued a Jonesboro company, claiming the group sold fraudulent international driver's licenses to immigrants. Holmstrom says so far, they have no reason to believe this case is similar. "We're in the beginning stages. We'll gather documents and talk to parties involved and then assess the situation to see if there's any danger that's out there for the consumer," said Holmstrom.
Angelo Zambrano and his brother Paul helped found the Latin Community Organization to serve Hispanics in the local community. The group offers English, civics and general educational development classes.
Some Arkansas police departments, banks and businesses now accept the membership card as a form of valid identification.
The Zambranos said the cards are not meant to confuse authorities or Hispanics who choose to purchase one. Angelo Zambrano said new members are never promised that the cards guarantee them any type of services, and businesses make their own decisions as to whether they want to treat the cards like legitimate ID cards.
?The group has about 3,000 members. Each has the option of paying $15.00 for the membership card,? said Zambrano.
Michel Leidermann, State Communications Director of the Arkansas League of United Latin American citizens, said the Latin Community Organization should stop issuing the cards.
"This is not an offical ID card. It has no validity. If you go to city hall you cannot use it, so what is it really for?" ask Leidermann.
The cards read Arkansas across the top, and bear the cardholders photo, name and address and list the person's gender and physical description. The back of the card features the insignia of local police departments and endorsements by local banks.
The card says Latin Community Organization on the front. On the back, the cards read, This is not a government ID. It is granted for membership purposes only.
