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Homeland Security strikes deal with New York on driver's licenses
Newsday.com ^ | October 27, 2007 | DEVLIN BARRETT

Posted on 10/29/2007 3:39:56 AM PDT by Man50D

The Bush administration and New York cut a deal Saturday to create a new generation of super-secure driver's licenses for U.S. citizens, but also allow illegal immigrants to get a version.

New York is the fourth state to reach such an agreement on federally approved secure licenses, after Arizona, Vermont and Washington. The issue is pressing for border states, where new and tighter rules are soon to go into effect for crossings.

The deal comes about one month after New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced a plan whereby illegal immigrants with a valid foreign passport could obtain a license.

Saturday's agreement with the Homeland Security Department will create a three-tier license system in New York. It is the largest state to sign on so far to the government's post-Sept. 11 effort to make identification cards more secure.

Spitzer, who has faced much criticism on the issue, said the deal means New York "will usher in the most secure licensing system in the nation."

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he was not happy that New York intended to issue IDs to illegal immigrants. But he said there was nothing he could do to stop it.

"I don't endorse giving licenses to people who are not here legally, but federal law does allow states to make that choice," Chertoff said.

"It's going to be a big deal up in Buffalo, it's going to be a big deal on the Canadian side of the border," Chertoff said.

The governor made clear he is going forward with his plan allowing licenses for illegal immigrants. But advocates on both sides of the debate said Spitzer had caved to pressure by adopting the administration's stance on tighter security standards for most driver's licenses.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: dhs; driverslicense; driverslicenses; illegalimmigrants; ny; spitzer
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1 posted on 10/29/2007 3:39:57 AM PDT by Man50D
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To: Man50D

ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE


2 posted on 10/29/2007 3:41:59 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: PetroniusMaximus

There is very little DHS can do.


3 posted on 10/29/2007 3:45:48 AM PDT by Perdogg (Go tarheels)
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To: Man50D

state’s rights after all... :{


4 posted on 10/29/2007 3:46:31 AM PDT by ari-freedom (I am for traditional moral values, a strong national defense, and free markets.)
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To: Man50D
The deal comes about one month after New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced a plan whereby illegal immigrants with a valid foreign passport could obtain a license.

How many illegal immigrants have a valid foriegn passport? I would bet that this number is dwarfed by the number of illegal immigrants without a valid foriegn passport!

5 posted on 10/29/2007 3:47:29 AM PDT by 17th Miss Regt
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To: Perdogg; PetroniusMaximus
There is very little DHS can do.

BULL!!!!!!!!! DHS can strictly enforce the following federal immigration law that makes it illegal for governments to harbor, aid and abet illegal immigrants. This is just an excuse for the Bush administration to further its new world order agenda.


Federal Immigration and Nationality Act

Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii) Recruitment and Employment of Illegal Aliens Encouraging and Harboring Illegal Aliens Enforcement RICO —Citizen Recourse Tax Crimes Comment

Section 8 USC 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv)(b)(iii) "Any person who . . . encourages or induces an illegal alien to . . . reside . . . knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such . . . residence is . . . in violation of law, shall be punished as provided . . . for each illegal alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both."

Section 274 felonies under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, INA 274A(a)(1)(A):

A person (including a group of persons, business, organization, or local government) commits a federal felony when she or he:

· assists an illegal alien s/he should reasonably know is illegally in the U.S. or who lacks employment authorization, by transporting, sheltering, or assisting him or her to obtain employment, or · encourages that illegal alien to remain in the U.S. by referring him or her to an employer or by acting as employer or agent for an employer in any way, or · knowingly assists illegal aliens due to personal convictions. ·

Penalties upon conviction include criminal fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of vehicles and real property used to commit the crime. Anyone employing or contracting with an illegal alien without verifying his or her work authorization status is guilty of a misdemeanor. Aliens and employers violating immigration laws are subject to arrest, detention, and seizure of their vehicles or property. In addition, individuals or entities who engage in racketeering enterprises that commit (or conspire to commit) immigration-related felonies are subject to private civil suits for treble damages and injunctive relief.

Recruitment and Employment of Illegal Aliens

It is unlawful to hire an alien, to recruit an alien, or to refer an illegal alien for a fee, knowing the illegal alien is unauthorized to work in the United States. It is equally unlawful to continue to employ an illegal alien knowing that the illegal alien is unauthorized to work.

It is unlawful to hire any individual for employment in the United States without complying with employment eligibility verification requirements. Requirements include examination of identity documents and completion of Form I-9 for every employee hired. Employers must retain all I-9s, and, with three days' advance notice, the forms must be made available for inspection. Employment includes any service or labor performed for any type of remuneration within the United States, with the exception of sporadic domestic service by an individual in a private home. "Day laborers" or other casual workers engaged in any compensated activity (with the above exception) are employees for purposes of immigration law. An employer includes an agent or anyone acting directly or indirectly in the interest of the employer. For purposes of verification of authorization to work, employer also means an independent contractor, or a contractor other than the person using the illegal alien labor.

The use of temporary or short-term contracts cannot be used to circumvent the employment authorization verification requirements. If employment is to be for less than the usual three days allowed for completing the I-9 Form requirement, the form must be completed immediately at the time of hire.

An employer has constructive knowledge that an employee is an illegal unauthorized worker if a reasonable person would infer it from the facts. Constructive knowledge constituting a violation of federal law has been found where (1) the I-9 employment eligibility form has not been properly completed, including supporting documentation, (2) the employer has learned from other individuals, media reports, or any source of information available to the employer that the alien is unauthorized to work, or (3) the employer acts with reckless disregard for the legal consequences of permitting a third party to provide or introduce an illegal alien into the employer's work force. Knowledge cannot be inferred solely on the basis of an individual's accent or foreign appearance.

Actual specific knowledge is not required. For example, a newspaper article stating that ballrooms depend on an illegal alien work force of dance hostesses was held by the courts to be a reasonable ground for suspicion that unlawful conduct had occurred.

It is illegal for nonprofit or religious organizations to knowingly assist an employer to violate employment sanctions, regardless of claims that their convictions require them to assist illegal aliens. Harboring or aiding illegal aliens is not protected by the First Amendment. It is a felony to establish a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading any provision of federal immigration law. Violators may be fined or imprisoned for up to five years.

Encouraging and Harboring Illegal Aliens

It is a violation of law for any person to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection in any place, including any building or means of transportation, any illegal alien who is in the United States in violation of law. Harboring means any conduct that tends to substantially facilitate an alien to remain in the U.S. illegally. The sheltering need not be clandestine, and harboring covers aliens arrested outdoors, as well as in a building. This provision includes harboring an alien who entered the U.S. legally but has since lost his legal status.

An employer can be convicted of the felony of harboring illegal aliens who are his employees if he takes actions in reckless disregard of their illegal status, such as ordering them to obtain false documents, altering records, obstructing INS inspections, or taking other actions that facilitate the alien's illegal employment. Any person who within any 12-month period hires ten or more individuals with actual knowledge that they are illegal aliens or unauthorized workers is guilty of felony harboring. It is also a felony to encourage or induce an alien to come to or reside in the U.S. knowing or recklessly disregarding the fact that the alien's entry or residence is in violation of the law. This crime applies to any person, rather than just employers of illegal aliens. Courts have ruled that "encouraging" includes counseling illegal aliens to continue working in the U.S. or assisting them to complete applications with false statements or obvious errors. The fact that the alien is a refugee fleeing persecution is not a defense to this felony, since U.S. law and the UN Protocol on Refugees both require that a refugee must report to immigration authorities without delay upon entry to the U.S.

The penalty for felony harboring is a fine and imprisonment for up to five years. The penalty for felony alien smuggling is a fine and up to ten years' imprisonment. Where the crime causes serious bodily injury or places the life of any person in jeopardy, the penalty is a fine and up to twenty years' imprisonment. If the criminal smuggling or harboring results in the death of any person, the penalty can include life imprisonment. Convictions for aiding, abetting, or conspiracy to commit alien smuggling or harboring, carry the same penalties. Courts can impose consecutive prison sentences for each alien smuggled or harbored. A court may order a convicted smuggler to pay restitution if the illegal alien smuggled qualifies as a victim under the Victim and Witness Protection Act. Conspiracy to commit crimes of sheltering, harboring, or employing illegal aliens is a separate federal offense punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or five years' imprisonment.

Enforcement

A person or entity having knowledge of a violation or potential violation of employer sanctions provisions may submit a signed written complaint to the INS office with jurisdiction over the business or residence of the potential violator, whether an employer, employee, or agent. The complaint must include the names and addresses of both the complainant and the violator, and detailed factual allegations, including date, time, and place of the potential violation, and the specific conduct alleged to be a violation of employer sanctions. By regulation, the INS will only investigate third-party complaints that have a reasonable probability of validity. Designated INS officers and employees, and all other officers whose duty it is to enforce criminal laws, may make an arrest for violation of smuggling or harboring illegal aliens.

State and local law enforcement officials have the general power to investigate and arrest violators of federal immigration statutes without prior INS knowledge or approval, as long as they are authorized to do so by state law. There is no extant federal limitation on this authority. The 1996 immigration control legislation passed by Congress was intended to encourage states and local agencies to participate in the process of enforcing federal immigration laws. Immigration officers and local law enforcement officers may detain an individual for a brief warrantless interrogation where circumstances create a reasonable suspicion that the individual is illegally present in the U.S. Specific facts constituting a reasonable suspicion include evasive, nervous, or erratic behavior; dress or speech indicating foreign citizenship; and presence in an area known to contain a concentration of illegal aliens. Hispanic appearance alone is not sufficient. Immigration officers and police must have a valid warrant or valid employer's consent to enter workplaces or residences. Any vehicle used to transport or harbor illegal aliens, or used as a substantial part of an activity that encourages illegal aliens to come to or reside in the U.S. may be seized by an immigration officer and is subject to forfeiture. The forfeiture power covers any conveyances used within the U.S.

RICO —Citizen Recourse

Private persons and entities may initiate civil suits to obtain injunctions and treble damages against enterprises that conspire to or actually violate federal alien smuggling, harboring, or document fraud statutes, under the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO). The pattern of racketeering activity is defined as commission of two or more of the listed crimes. A RICO enterprise can be any individual legal entity, or a group of individuals who are not a legal entity but are associated in fact, and can include nonprofit associations.

Tax Crimes

Employers who aid or abet the preparation of false tax returns by failing to pay income or Social Security taxes for illegal alien employees, or who knowingly make payments using false names or Social Security numbers, are subject to IRS criminal and civil sanctions. U.S. nationals who have suffered intentional discrimination because of citizenship or national origin by an employer with more than three employees may file a complaint within 180 days of the discriminatory act with the Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices, U.S. Department of Justice. In addition to the federal statutes summarized, state laws and local ordinances controlling fair labor practices, workers compensation, zoning, safe housing and rental property, nuisance, licensing, street vending, and solicitations by contractors may also apply to activities that involve illegal aliens.

Comment:

A comment and a published quote by Robert Gaffney, Attorney and County Executive of Suffolk County, LI, NY:

The statutory foundation of United States immigration law has always been the jurisdiction of the federal government, Congress and the federal courts. The preeminent laws concerning the employment of illegal aliens are found in the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. §~ 1101-1503), as amended by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 CIRCA).

The law states it is a crime to assist an illegal alien who lacks employment authorization by referring him to an employer, or by acting as his or her employer, or as an agent for an employer. 8 U.S.C.S. § 1324a(a)(1)(A) (Lexis 1997). Furthermore, it is unlawful to hire an individual for employment without complying with the employment eligibility requirements for every person hired. 8 U.S.C.S. § 1324a(a)(l)(B) (Lexis 1997). Moreover, conduct tending substantially to facilitate illegal aliens remaining in the United States illegally, where there is knowledge or a reckless disregard of an illegal alien s unlawful status, is a crime, with escalating penalties, encompassed within the provisions of 1324. 8 U.S.C.S. § 1324(a)(l)(A)(iii) (Lexis 1997); United States v. Kim. 193 F-3d 567 (2d Cir. 1999), are considered employees for purposes of immigration law.
6 posted on 10/29/2007 3:54:37 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: Man50D

England should have let Nazi Germany infiltrate em this way. No


7 posted on 10/29/2007 3:58:47 AM PDT by Waco
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To: ari-freedom
state’s rights after all... :{

Wrong!!!!! States must comply with federal immigration laws. Chertoff stating he can't do anything is just an excuse not to strictly enforce those laws in order to push Bush's new world order agenda. Read the law posted in #6. It is a felony for governments to aid and abet illegal immigrants.
8 posted on 10/29/2007 3:59:18 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: Man50D

I think the only thing left to do is wait for the next president to take action.


9 posted on 10/29/2007 4:08:57 AM PDT by shekkian
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To: 17th Miss Regt
How many illegal immigrants have a valid foriegn passport?

Lots of them. Maybe not down in Texas, but up here in Philly area that's the way most of them come in. They fly right in and they just don't leave.

10 posted on 10/29/2007 4:12:07 AM PDT by old and tired
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To: Man50D
I was watching “The lost book of Nostradamus” on the History channel last night. One of his predictions was countries being invaded and taken over from within but, not militarily.

His vision is becoming reality in most western countries.

11 posted on 10/29/2007 4:15:04 AM PDT by wolfcreek (The Status Quo Sucks!)
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To: Man50D

Spitzer is nuts. The answer is simple. Make them register including fingerprints and scan and pay a freakin’ fine. If they can afford a car, they can afford a fine.


12 posted on 10/29/2007 4:19:03 AM PDT by Sacajaweau ("The Cracker" will be renamed "The Crapper")
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To: Man50D

I wish G.W. would go ahead and announce that a deal has been secretly signed making the U.S. and Mexico one country.

Instead of doing this slow painful ripping off of a bandaid.....


13 posted on 10/29/2007 4:24:06 AM PDT by proudofthesouth (Liberals want to turn this country and the world back into a feudal society.)
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To: Man50D

http://www.1010wins.com/Spitzer:-New-Driver-s-License-Plan-is-Safer/1143368

Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Sunday that his new plan to make it easier for illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses while creating one of the most secure licenses in the nation is the result of conversations with an old friend, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

(snip)

``I think the statement from the secretary of Homeland Security that we now have among the most secure license in the nation is important,’’ Spitzer said. ``The first objective is security ... It is perhaps stronger now that we have the acknowledgment of the director of Homeland Security.’’

Spitzer said he has known Chertoff for more than 10 years, going back to Spitzer’s life as a prosecutor and before, when Chertoff’s wife went to Harvard Law School with Spitzer. Spitzer said long, collegial conversations with Chertoff over several weeks led to the change in policy.

(snip)

And who the heck would trust anything Chertoff said anyway?

http://www.opednews.com/duncan_011205_NJ_Terrorism_Michael_Chertoff.htm
New Jersey and Terrorism…Perfect Together


14 posted on 10/29/2007 4:28:12 AM PDT by Calpernia (Hunters Rangers - Raising the Bar of Integrity http://www.barofintegrity.us)
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To: Man50D

Spitzer is a risk to national security and should be removed for office.


15 posted on 10/29/2007 4:39:18 AM PDT by Farmer Dean (168 grains of instant conflict resolution)
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To: Farmer Dean
Spitzer is a risk to national security and should be removed for office.

The same can be said for all the socialists in the GOP and Democrat parties who support amnesty for illegal aliens.
16 posted on 10/29/2007 4:42:14 AM PDT by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

I think both sides (Spitzer and Chertoff) like the idea but have to couch it as some sort of compromise and not be too excited about creating ID for illegals that brings them closer to normal status.

They once printed on Social Security cards that the cards were not a form of ID.

We all know what happened to that concept.

This could end up the same way.

This ID will end up being no different from anyone else’s driver’s license.


17 posted on 10/29/2007 4:58:25 AM PDT by Nextrush (Proudly uncommitted in the 2008 race for president for now)
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To: 17th Miss Regt
How many illegal immigrants have a valid foriegn passport?

How many "valid" passports will actually be forged, or by "valid" do they mean the newer secure passports?

18 posted on 10/29/2007 5:00:00 AM PDT by YellowRoseofTx
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To: Farmer Dean

Can he be recalled?????


19 posted on 10/29/2007 5:01:20 AM PDT by FES0844 (FES0844)
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To: Man50D

Michael Chertoff and his agency has no credibility anyway. Who could be surprised that he makes a deal to ok licenses for illegals in New York? I would recommend my state not accept NY licenses as valid in Georgia if this goes through. (Plus that kicks Florida in the butt in our water war because these NY yankees would have to detour through Alabama to get to Florida for the winter.)

BTW: UGA 42 UF 30 I love it!


20 posted on 10/29/2007 5:04:02 AM PDT by Bulldawg Fan (Victory is the last thing Murtha and his fellow Defeatists want.)
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