Posted on 02/13/2002 2:55:36 AM PST by sarcasm
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and incidents such as the alleged driver's license scam at a Memphis testing center could rally forces to keep illegal aliens from obtaining Tennessee licenses. "It looks good," state Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Brentwood) said Tuesday of her bill. Filed prior to last week's testing center arrests, it would require noncitizens applying for a driver's license to provide documentation proving they are in the country legally. Last year the General Assembly changed state law to allow people to obtain a driver's license even if they don't have a Social Security number. But they do have to show proof of their identity, age and Tennessee residency. Among the purposes of the change was to ensure that legal aliens are tested drivers who know the rules of the road. However, the new law did not require applicants to show proof they are legally in the country. In one debate last year, Sen. Curtis Person (R-Memphis) argued that such proof be included in the bill. But Sen. Jim Kyle (D-Memphis) countered that the Sundquist administration did not want to place more duties on the already burdened license examiners in the state. But that exchange occurred before Sept. 11. "I would think in light of what happened Sept. 11 and this situation (in Memphis), we are in a different state of security where we are exercising more concern than ever," said Rep. Tre Hargett (R-Bartlett), whose district includes the license testing station at 6340 Summer. That's where six people were arrested Feb. 5 and charged with conspiring to get licenses under false pretenses. Several of the defendants paid at least $1,000 to be driven from New York to Memphis to obtain driver's licenses using false information on the application, prosecutors allege. Also charged was a driver's license examiner, now dead, who was accused of helping them. At least three of the defendants admitted to being in the country illegally, FBI agent J. Suzanne Nash testified in a preliminary hearing Monday. Asst. U.S. Atty. Tim DiScenza asked Nash if any of the suspects said why he traveled to Tennessee to obtain a driver's license. "They said because a Social Security number is not required," she responded. Neither is proof through documents like visas or passports that a noncitizen is legally in the country. Tennessee is one of only 20 states that don't have a legal-presence requirement, said Jason King, spokesman for the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators. Mississippi and Arkansas do require such documentation from noncitizens. Kyle said Tuesday that his opposition to requiring such proof was based on the wishes of the state Department of Public Safety, which operates the license centers. He said that so long as the department ''is comfortable with the (law) and can justify where we are, I don't see the need." The Commercial Appeal was unable to contact department officials for comment Tuesday.
She is wonderful. She has been a leader in stopping Tenn's income tax!
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