Immigrant licenses hit roadblock

Metro West Daily News ^ | 9-21-03 | Michael Kunzelman / News Staff Writer

[JustPiper]

BOSTON -- A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain Massachusetts driver's licenses is inching its way through the Legislature, despite critics' concerns that the proposal poses a threat to national security and could encourage illegal immigration.

The measure recently earned an endorsement from a key panel of lawmakers, but an informal poll by the Daily News last week indicates that MetroWest legislators are sharply divided over whether to grant driver's licenses to immigrants who are living in Massachusetts illegally.

The bill's supporters, including state Rep. Deborah Blumer, D-Framingham, argue that the roads would be safer for all motorists if the state's estimated 150,000 undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses and purchase car insurance.

Many immigrants flout the law and drive without either a license or insurance because they need a car to get to and from work, Blumer said.

"My basic concern is for the safety of all people using the highway," she added. "I think the bill recognizes the reality of what's going on. It's a very practical response to a problem that isn't going away."

Many other MetroWest lawmakers, however, are strongly opposed to changing the law.

"That's like saying let's give robbery licenses to bank robbers because they're going to do it anyway," said Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin. "If they're here illegally, they shouldn't benefit from having a license. A driver's license isn't a right. It's a privilege."

The bill -- sponsored by Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, a Chelsea Democrat who serves on House Speaker Thomas Finneran's leadership team -- would allow anyone with a federal taxpayer identification number to apply for and receive a driver's license.

Under existing state law, an applicant for a driver's license must have a Social Security number. Undocumented immigrants can't apply for Social Security numbers, but they can obtain a taxpayer ID number.

The Internal Revenue Service issues the numbers to anyone who is required to file an income tax return, but isn't entitled to a Social Security number.

Elizabeth Matos, immigrant rights coordinator for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refuge Advocacy Coalition, said undocumented immigrants are a vital cog in the state's workforce.

"In reality is that our economy depends on these immigrants, who have been working here for years in unsafe conditions," Matos said. "This is about public safety on the roads. Nobody feels safe driving alongside people who have never been tested."

Matos has been lobbying dozens of lawmakers to support O'Flaherty's bill, which received a favorable report from the Public Safety Committee this month.

The legislation is expected to be heard by the House's Homeland Security Committee before it could be debated on the floor of the House or Senate.

In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, some lawmakers questioned the wisdom of granting driver's licenses to immigrants who are living here illegally.

"To get on a plane, all you need is a driver's license," said Rep. Paul Loscocco, R-Holliston, who opposes the bill. "I don't look at that as an anti-immigrant position. I just see it as a potential threat."

The bill's supporters, on the other hand, said the change would actually improve homeland security because it would allow the government to keep track of an otherwise elusive population.

"We would know where they are and where they're living," said Rep. Peter Koutoujian, D-Waltham. "I think this is a way to protect our citizens. More people are starting to see it that way, too."

Other states already have enacted similar proposals, but not without considerable controversy.

In California, for instance, an estimated 2 million immigrants who are living in the state illegally will be able to obtain driver's licenses beginning Jan. 1. Gov. Gray Davis signed the change into law earlier this month.

In Massachusetts, the change is expected to generate an estimated $12 million in additional revenue from driver's license fees - an attractive prospect for a state mired in a budget crisis.

"In general, I think it's a good step to take," said Sen. Pamela Resor, D-Acton. "You know that many, many employers are dependent on this labor (by undocumented immigrants), and it's not something that's going to go away."

Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, doesn't think the bill poses a threat to national security, but he also doesn't see how the proposal would make the roads safer, either.

"I am not convinced that there is a public safety need for this," he said.

Rep. Stephen LeDuc, D-Marlborough, said the problems associated with undocumented immigrants are a "huge public policy nightmare" that the federal government should tackle before the state takes action.

"It's a much bigger problem than just licensing," he said. "There are great benefits to having an immigrant population here in Massachusetts, but there are also a lot of public policy implications that Congress should deal with first."

Rep. Patricia Walrath, D-Stow, shares LeDuc's view that the federal government should take the lead on the issue. In the meantime, she is leaning toward opposing O'Flaherty's bill.

"We've got to do something about it, but I'm not sure this is the way to do it," she said. "I'm not sure that we as lawmakers should be contributing to illegal activity."

Rep. Susan Pope, R-Wayland, hasn't taken a position on the bill, but she does have some misgivings about the plan.

"I don't think there are any checks and balances," she said. "If we're going to give licenses to undocumented immigrants, I would like to see them come back in six months to show that they have a job and are self-sufficient. A driver's license is a privilege. You should be a contributing member of society to get one."

[SteveH]

Tancredo is right, it is being advanced in every state, not just California...

[DoughtyOne]

Whatya wanna bet this is the toe in the door the feds have been waiting for to set up a national I.D. card as part of driver's license reform? This will be fixed, when we're over a barrel and the only way out is to forfeit any objection we might have in the interest of increased security. Then the feds can ridicule us for objecting, like they do now for Patriot I and II.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

The bill's supporters, including state Rep. Deborah Blumer, D-Framingham, argue that the roads would be safer for all motorists if the state's estimated 150,000 undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses and purchase car insurance

Geeee so that means if i buy a box of hand grenades and get a permit for them i can go to the community aquarium and use them to go fishing right?

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[vrwcregistered]

I am wondering if it is possible for other states to pass legislation that would not recognize as legal driver licenses issued in states that issue them to illegal aliens. If so, we should all be pushing our state legislators to enact such legislation. (You would no longer be able to drive legally in VA with a CA drivers license.)

[Sacajaweau]

Legal drivers = Safer roads

Legal immigrants = Safer country

Is that tooooo logical??

[P-Marlowe]

This is a National Security issue and Congress needs to pass a law forbidding any State from giving a legal identification card or driver's license to anyone who is not legally in the United States.

They also need to make it a felony for any non-citizen to register to vote or to vote in any election. Then maybe they won't have to worry about losing the illegal alien vote by taking a stand for Americans.

[georgiabelle]

Geeee, My house would be a lot safer if I could afford an alarm system and if I had a Land Rover I would feel so much safer on the road. I think every citizen would. So maybe we should stop paying taxes so that we can afford all of these things.

If they can't find and pick up 13 million illegals then how the hell are they going to find 50 million legals that now refuse to pay taxes. I bet they would take notice. Of course none of the citizens have the guts and balls to do that. But it's going to be that or war on the streets. There are some really upset people out here.

[mewzilla]

...undocumented immigrants...

I take it you mean illegal aliens, Mr. Kunzelman.

[Fearless Flyers]

Its time they allow convicted drunks to get a drivers license. Their going to drive anyway and the roads would be a lot safer if they could get insurance.

[raybbr]

...150,000 undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses and purchase car insurance.

Just because they get a license doesn't mean the'll get insurance. This is just a damn lie!!!!!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

"My basic concern is for the safety of all people using the highway," she added. "I think the bill recognizes the reality of what's going on. It's a very practical response to a problem that isn't going away."

Gee, while you're at it, why don't you drop the legal driving age? Let fourteen year olds drive! We all know that kids love to take their parents' cars for joyrides. Why have an age requirement?

[N. Theknow]

The bill's supporters, including state Rep. Deborah Blumer, D-Framingham, argue that the roads would be safer for all motorists if the state's estimated 150,000 undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses and purchase car insurance.

Oh really?

What a clueless twit!

This means that there will be another 150,000 "staged" traffic accidents with whiplash injuries to bilk insurance companies out of money and force the "legal" drivers to pay the tab for increased costs.

[mtbopfuyn]

Geez, why bother anymore? Just change the name to United States of Mexico and be done with it.

[Fearless Flyers]

Maybe all the people with suspended and revoked licenses should organize and sue under the equal protection act.

File a suit claiming that since the States supply drivers licenses to other known criminals in order to enable them to get insurance they deserve the same privilege.

The threat of the lawsuit would surely piss off insurance companies, which are one of the strongest lobbying groups in Washington.

[Savage Beast]

"Many immigrants flout the law and drive without either a license or insurance"

Not many, Deborah--all illegal immigrants flout the law. Their presence in the United States is illegal. That's why they are illegal immigrants.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Many immigrants flout the law and drive without either a license or insurance because they need a car to get to and from work, Blumer said.

And many 'immigrants' flout the law just by being here...

[EdReform]

"Many immigrants flout the law..."

Indeed they do. It starts at the border when they enter illegally.

[freeangel]

I may be biased, but having been the victim of one of these whiplash scams, I say they need to deport every one of thee miscreants and their prodigy(US born or not)

[Publius6961]

The bill's supporters, including state Rep. Deborah Blumer, D-Framingham, argue that the roads would be safer for all motorists if the state's estimated 150,000 undocumented immigrants can obtain driver's licenses and purchase car insurance.

Laws don't make roads safer, behavior does.

It is already illegal (against the law, for MA lawmakwers) to enter our country illegally; it is already illegal to drive without a license; it is already illegal to drive without insurance.

And I already pay additional to insure myself against "uninsured" illegal alien motorists.

Isn't insanity trying the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

[FITZ]

"I am not convinced that there is a public safety need for this," he said.

Illegals without drivers licenses and insurance should just take the bus. That would make the roads much safer --- if they weren't driving on them. Handing out drivers licenses doesn't mean someone has learned to read the road signs or understands basic driving rules.

[Gritty]

Why is it when reading an article like this, I get the feeling the next step is just to allow anybody who wants to come to the US and settle here permanently is OK as long as they can sneak past the border? Then we not only ignore them, but encourage them to stay.

We are just about to the point where we have given up any semblence of border control, or even control over who comes here and pretends to be a citizen, votes, or does anything else they damn well please. Pretty soon being an "American Citizen" will be indistinguishable from being a "World Citizen", with all the rights and privileges thereto. I can see us soon overwhelmed by a billion new illegal immigrants once we totally give up the fight.

The parasites have sucked out most of our protective blood. They've certainly destroyed the will of our various governments at all levels. Now they're ready to start feasting on our flesh and muscle and really get into turning us into a Third World nation!

[Clemenza]

Pretty soon being an "American Citizen" will be indistinguishable from being a "World Citizen

This is the mantra in business schools all over the country, including mine.

As far as "corruption" is concerned, even the most corrupt potential political boss from Mexico has NOTHING on Tammany Hall in the late 19th and early 20th century, when ex-convicts were given positions on the NYPD as favors to families, etc.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Nea Wood]

Why can't they take the d*** bus?! Plenty of Americans and legal immigrants do who can't afford cars or can't get a license for some reason. I'm sick of this crap.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Tancredo is right, it is being advanced in every state, not just California...

Of course it is.

It's a mass, wholesale sellout of our country by politicians and our so-called leaders.

They don't even try to hide it anymore.....

[Joe Hadenuf]

Excellent post. It's happening right before our eyes....

[traditionalist]

Whatya wanna bet this is the toe in the door the feds have been waiting for to set up a national I.D. card as part of driver's license reform?

A National I.D. card already exists: it's called a passport. Why are you so scared of it?

[Lazamataz]

A National I.D. card already exists: it's called a passport. Why are you so scared of it?

Because it's not required for a commonplace and oft-exercised activity. Actually, a large percentage of people don't own them.

Compare that with drivers licenses.

[null and void]

YIKES! Bingo!

[traditionalist]

Because it's not required for a commonplace and oft-exercised activity. Actually, a large percentage of people don't own them.

So what's wrong with requiring everyone to have one? The vast majority own one already. Please explain to me the problem.

[traditionalist]

As far as "corruption" is concerned, even the most corrupt potential political boss from Mexico has NOTHING on Tammany Hall in the late 19th and early 20th century, when ex-convicts were given positions on the NYPD as favors to families, etc.

And who, pray tell, drove the power of Tammany Hall? I'll give you a hint. They were not American Natives.

[ThinkDifferent]

"This is about public safety on the roads. Nobody feels safe driving alongside people who have never been tested."

This is an impressive non sequitor. Does she really believe that illegal immigrants who fail the licensing test are going to stop driving? They had no problem driving without a license before, so somehow I doubt it.

[jwalsh07]

Many immigrants flout the law and drive without either a license or insurance because they need a car to get to and from work, Blumer said.

And the same morons who complain about being unemployed will support this particular moron and the moronic party she represents.

[Lazamataz]

So what's wrong with requiring everyone to have one? The vast majority own one already. Please explain to me the problem.

National ID's have always been abhorant to Americans. The concept smacks of Nazi Germany's cliched soundbyte: "Your paperz pleese."

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks

[traditionalist]

National ID's have always been abhorant to Americans. The concept smacks of Nazi Germany's cliched soundbyte: "Your paperz pleese."

So your opposition is based on pure emotion.

[Lazamataz]

So your opposition is based on pure emotion.

My opposition? National ID ranks right down at the bottom of my objection-meter. I'm much more concerned about RFIDs, colation of private databases at a government level, ubiquitous public cameras, and the like. REAL privacy violations.

I'm merely explaining to you why the majority of Americans won't like it. Of course, these days, they won't do much more than bitch a little and learn to love it. Americans have been indoctrinated in learning to love a powerful centralized government giving orfers.

[varon]

I have yet to see someone suggest a driver's license for undocumented /illegal aliens and others lacking proper papers that would be speacialy designed (color etc.) to differentiate it from a regular driver's license just like some states do for those under 21.

By providing this varient it would accomplish the 'safety factor' everyone is screaming about in that the driver would have to pass all the driving tests as for a regular license and also obtain insurance.

At the same time, that driver's license couldn't be used as a State ID where security issues are at stake or ID for voting.

[traditionalist]

Americans have been indoctrinated in learning to love a powerful centralized government giving orfers.

While I agree that it is usually best to decentralize government as much as possible, there are certain things that are best done by a centralized government: coining money, setting standard weights and measures, immigration policy, and yes, national security policy. A national i.d. is part of national security policy. In order to have security, we have to have a reliable way of identifying people. IMHO, it is better to have a single, standard form of ID than 50 different ones, each with its own standards.

[Cboldt]

I'll have a plate of fried orfers, please. >ping<

DoughtyOne's obseration is on-target, BTW. Hegelian Principle in action.

[SandRat]

In all of this there is no discussion of requiring pre-paid auto insurance for them to drive here but just try to drive in Mexico as a US Citizen without Special High Priced Mexican Auto Insurance.

Something is very wrong here besides the LOONIE - LEFT pushing for "increased rights." What rights?!

The only right they have is to be immediately tossed back across the border and never allowed to return under any circumstance.

[traditionalist]

In all of this there is no discussion of requiring pre-paid auto insurance for them to drive here but just try to drive in Mexico as a US Citizen without Special High Priced Mexican Auto Insurance.

Excellent point. Though most do not drive here from Mexico. They get smuggled in trucks and such. They later buy cars here after they've had a chance to save a few bucks.

[sarasmom]

"So what's wrong with requiring everyone to have one? The vast majority own one already. Please explain to me the problem"

subject-passport

Actually, "most" citizens of the USA DO NOT HAVE passports.
Strawman burned.
Try again.

[sarasmom]

Illegally.
As in against the law.
What part of illegal, criminal alien invader confuses you the most?
The illegal part or the invader part?
Or are you of the mind numbed socialist persuasion that "feels" every human on Earth has the "right" to live in the USA, no matter how and why?
What rights, in your liberal alternative view of reality, do I have as an actual legal citizen of my own country?
Or is it not my country, just an attractive concept?
What in the world do people like you do when electrical power goes off, or any local emergency situation arises?

[SandRat]

Excellent point. Though most do not drive here from Mexico. They get smuggled in trucks and such. They later buy cars here after they've had a chance to save a few bucks.

I was referring to the fact that they are going to give away the license as if in "Cracker-Jack" boxes but I can say with almost certainty that the "hunk of junk" that will be driven with the "Cracker-Jack Prize" will not have any insurance and if there is an accident the Illegal will "rabbit" from the scene either on foot or in the "hunk of Junk" if it is still drivable. None of the "caring LEFT-LOONIES" even has a care about that fact.

[traditionalist]

Oh, you can be absolutely sure of that. The idea that illegals making less than minimum wage are going to be able to afford insurance is laughable.

[traditionalist]

Okay, fine. Even if most people don't have a passport, what's wrong with requiring a passport to get on a domestic flight?

[traditionalist]

For the record, I think every illegal should be deported immediately and that anyone hires an illegal should spend a minmum of 5 yeras in Federal prison.