Maryland criticized for denying licenses

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | May 3, 2005 | S.A. Miller

[bookworm100]

ANNAPOLIS -- An immigration rights group says the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is violating state law by denying driver's licenses to illegal aliens...

...Maryland law does not bar illegal aliens from receiving driver's licenses, and the Democrat-controlled General Assembly has killed legislation to change that over the past several years...

...More than 20 states have laws prohibiting illegal aliens from obtaining driver's licenses. Virginia recently enacted such restrictions in response to public outrage that its lax security enabled the September 11, 2001, hijackers to obtain state IDs...

[bookworm100]

After all, having a driver's license makes it easier to illegally vote.

[Peach]

An immigration rights group...

No wonder they are all coming here. The illegals have the "right" to free medical care, drivers licenses, etc.

[Kaslin]

Does anyone have a link to the Maryland state law?

[goldstategop]

It won't matter now that the Real ID Act is about to become law. If Maryland wants to opt out, it can, but it stands to lose federal dollars if its doesn't amend the state law to comply with the ban on drivers licenses for illegal aliens.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[the OlLine Rebel]

More lunacy from the People's Republic of Maryland. AKA truly "America in miniature" - at least, everything that's WRONG w/it.

[DTogo]

I'm all for immigration rights: you have a right to stand in line and apply for a visa like all other law-abiding people of the world.

[RexBeach]

If the state government of Maryland was a person, it couldn't tie its shoes.

[bookworm100]

I did a Google search and only came up with a supporter of licenses for aliens.

http://www.murthy.com/print/ukmurthy_P.html

MurthyDotCom
The Law Office of Sheela Murthy
US Immigration Law
410-356-5440
eMail law@murthy.com

Murthy Takes Action : Maryland Driver's License Efforts
Posted Mar 14, 2003

There is a bill pending in the Maryland State Legislature that would ease the burden of proof with respect to immigration documentation required to obtain a Maryland driver's license. While the bill faces strong opposition, The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C. has been actively involved in advocating support for this bill. On March 5, 2003, we were pleased to have the opportunity to discuss our position with an aide to Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and to testify before the Maryland House Judiciary Committee to promote the legislation.

In her testimony in support of the bill, Attorney Sheela Murthy, as one of the leading voices for the pro-immigration lobby, argued that drivers' licenses should not become de facto immigration documents. Attorney Murthy argued that the driver's license clerks are not qualified personnel for interpreting immigration status documents. The focus of the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) should be public safety with respect to testing drivers and verifying insurance coverage. Their role should not be extended to immigration issues, which are Federal in nature. She also reasoned that permitting more foreign nationals to obtain drivers' licenses would increase national security by recording these drivers into the MVA database.

While some opponents of the bill claimed that illegal immigrants are criminals that should not have drivers' licenses, a member of the committee itself contended that even convicted rapists and murderers in Maryland are permitted to have drivers' licenses. Opponents also questioned why illegal or soon-to-become illegal immigrants should be given the reward of a driver's license. In response to that, Attorney Murthy clarified that many of the immigrants are not "becoming illegal;" rather, they are in the long and difficult process of trying to become "legal."

Several Maryland House Judiciary Committee members spoke to Attorney Murthy after the hearing and one pledged to reintroduce similar legislation if the current bill fails. We are pleased that the testimony was well received and look forward to assisting with these and other ongoing efforts in the months to come.

[pawdoggie]

If the state government of Maryland was a person, it couldn't tie its shoes.

Yeah, but the Governor will take you golfing, in person!

[Lobbyist]

A more descriptive term would be " the immigrant rights industry". Or, you could say, "An immigrant rights industry representative said today..." Make no mistake these clowns advocating on behalf of illegals are members of an industry. If it weren't for the influx of illegal aliens they wouldn't be in business.

If you want any information about a non-profit in the U.S. go to www.guidestar.com. You have sign up (it's free) before you can view their 990's filed with the IRS.

[RexBeach]

You know, that's correct! He's got a pretty good swing, too. But I think the good news for Maryland government begins and ends right there. Too bad. Maryland is a beautiful place with a lot of good people...to say nothing of the blue crabs!

[skinkinthegrass]

the blue crabs! = Democrats??? :)

[sure_fine]

you would think the "legal residents" would be getting tired of this, but then the local socialists pull stuff like this on them

As crab season approaches, Shore businesses left in limbo

BALTIMORE SUN

Visa shortage prevents Mexican workers' entry By Chris Guy and Rona Kobell

April 2, 2005=== HOOPER'S ISLAND - In the seasonal rhythm of life on this slice of land dangling alongside the Chesapeake Bay, the first days of the commercial crab season are marked by anticipation.

No one will be catching any crabs until temperatures rise a bit, but the crab pots are ready - repaired, painted and neatly stacked. The decks of low-slung work boats are scrubbed. Diesel engines are fine-tuned. At the crab processing houses, industrial-sized crab steamers and stainless steel picking tables are gleaming.

But this year, despite all of the preparation, there is worry that the island's seafood industry is facing economic disaster. Hundreds of workers from Mexico would normally be on their way to jobs here and across Maryland's Eastern Shore to pry fluffy white meat from the crabs and pack it for shipping to markets near and far. The workers are still in Mexico, however, because they cannot get visas from the U.S. government.

CLICK HERE

screw the illegals, MAKE the handout recipeints DO THE WORK in order to keep benefits coming

[Kaslin]

Thanks

[bookworm100]

MAKE the handout recipients DO THE WORK in order to keep benefits coming.

Great Idea!

[gubamyster]

ping

[JZelle]

"the blue crabs! = Democrats??? :)"

They turn red when you cook them!!

[Iron Matron]

Thanks for the ping.

States who do not follow federal ID mandates should be disallowed from all Federal Elections, rather, votes coming from these States should be considered "Provisional" until citizenship of all voters is confirmed.

I know, it would not be "fair" to those who are citizens, but, then again, it is not fair to the rest of the USA to have un-American candidates elected with the help of illegals.

[skinkinthegrass]

They turn red when you cook them!

...in the END, they're really in a red state, eh? ...GOOD. :D

[VeniVidiVici]

Hundreds of workers from Mexico would normally be on their way to jobs here and across Maryland's Eastern Shore to pry fluffy white meat from the crabs

BS. I don't ever remember them having this problem.

And when I look at crabmeat in the store I'd say most of it is from Thailand.