Most people of voting age in Mexico have their "Credencial de Votar," something
they are often asked for in situations having nothing to do with voting. It is
considered the major form of ID here in a country where many people neither
drive nor own property. In my experience, when they go to the US, they almost
always carry this document, as they cannot imagine they will not need it. This
is an intensely paper oriented society, albeit still one of limited literacy.
Another thing most men will have is proof of military service, as without this,
they can be picked up and detained, should anyone in authority care to do this.
People are very careful with documents, as replacing them can be very costly, in
time and or money (bribes). Have you thought about doing your own photo ID for
the clinic? Does it really matter "who" they are, so long as they are the same
person every time they seek care? People are also used to having to get a strip
of little photos for the various "tramites" they are faced with, even going to
school or using a library.
Hope these are some helpful thoughts-
Andrea Schuman
Center for Scientific and Social Studies
Mococha, Yucatan, MX
Newton, MA, USA
email ctriples@...