NEW YORK (AP) - Many Mexican immigrants are struggling on two fronts: Not only are they living illegally in the United States but they're also lacking Mexican identification documents.

Without such documents from home, they can't open a bank account or get married. They're essentially invisible for both governments.

Lack of identity in Mexico is a common problem in poor and remote towns of states such as Oaxaca and Guerrero. People there sometimes have to walk long distances to find a civil registry office.

It's estimated that one in seven Mexicans lacks proof of birth.

Mexican civil registry officials have recently traveled to New York and Los Angeles to give identities to dozens of immigrants.

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