Mexican citizens in North Carolina and South Carolina have been scrambling for documents out of concern over stricter identification requirements.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday the Mexican consulate in Raleigh is processing more than 3,000 passports a month. In 2005, the average was 571 passports each month.

The consulate serves an estimated 600,000 Mexicans in both states.

Rodrigo Pintado, who heads the Mexican government's documentation division in Raleigh, said birth registrations also have soared, from 28 a month in 2005 to 300 a month this year.

Pintado said the increase in requests is driven by requirements to have passports for international flights and identification to renew driver licenses, along with fear of deportation as sheriff's departments team with federal immigration officials.