Drivers Licenses for Illegal Aliens? No.
By Fred Thompson Posted in Immigration — Comments (42) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
While Hillary Clinton was speaking out both sides of her mouth at last night’s debate over the issue of drivers licenses for illegal aliens, what went unsaid is that this is a recipe for increased voter fraud. Under the federal “Motor Voter” law (the National Voter Registration Act of 1993), states must provide applicants for drivers licenses with the opportunity to register to vote.
Giving legal drivers licenses to illegal immigrants is wrong and would provide them the opportunity to register to vote in our country. People who are not citizens of the United States should not be encouraged by pandering politicians to further break our laws and risk the health of our political system.
I think we have to quit inducing people to come and stay if they're illegal. I think it's a disservice to the millions of people who stood in long lines around the world at American embassies to come here and play by the rules and become American citizens and become productive and great parts of our society. But when you're making it easier, when you're providing sanctuary cities and telling your local officials that they can't even cooperate with federal authorities, and then saying its a federal responsibility, I think that's an irresponsible way to go.
Drivers licenses are the nearest thing to an ID card that we've got in this country. Your need your drivers license for everything. Why aren't they being apprehended and sent home if they come in and announce that they're illegal? We've either got to be serious enforcing our laws or not. I don't think we can afford to be selective in that regard.
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Sir,
Thanks for your post. We've either got to be serious enforcing our laws or not. I don't think we can afford to be selective in that regard.
Exactly. This is the reality that Americans need to start understanding.
Sovereign Nations enforce their laws.
Sovereign Nations enforce their borders.
Anything less and we're really just pretending.
Take a lesson Senator Clinton - this is how you give an answer.
"Do you support the Governor's plan to give illegals in New York drivers' licenses? No." Pretty simple.
For a simple answer that everyone can understand.
We are a nation of laws.
I am still amazed when our liberal friends use the word illegal alien and then proceed to demand we grant them legal privileges. An oxymoron gone astray? No matter which way you look at it, illegal negates any legal argument.
What will Mr. Spitzer do next? Offer our illegal friends laminated "proof of insurance" cards to go along with the driver's license?
I noticed from a post on Michelle Malkin's blog that it turns out Mr. B. Hussein Obama was in support of granting driver's licenses to illegals 3 years ago . Among the Democratic contenders, Hillary isn't alone on this issue.
Also, I will give Chris Dodd credit - he made some sense as to why we shouldn't give illegals licenses. That's about the only credit I'll give him though.
May the Lord not tarry much longer...
Or should I say, Mr President?
We need some common sense returned to Washington in dealing with illegal aliens.
Just thinking what they would be called with the driver license. This is just another money grab by NY.
The people of NY State should be very upset. Their drivers licenses would no longer be acceptable ID to get on an airplane in the USA.
-- A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. Anyone care to change sides?
-- I see abortion as a pro-choice issue... the baby's choice would be life. Just like yours, and Fred's too!
-- imwithfred --
In the hysteria over illegal immigration, the public safety of people who live in New York is being forgotten.
People who are registered to drive are far less likely to injure or kill others than those who are driving with no license.
Moreover -- especially for a state which has been hit by terrorism -- there is a lot to be said for having a picture and address for those who live in your state.
The Law in its majestic equality forbids the rich as well as the poor from sleeping under bridges and begging in the streets for bread. (Anatole France)
1. Public safety is more than safe highways. I remember a little over 6 years ago some illegal aliens killed thousands of people.
2. At least for Mexicans and Canadians, they ought to have their own drivers licenses. A Mexican should have a Mexican drivers license and a Canadian should have a Canadian drivers license. They shouldn't come here illegally anyway, but if they're driving they ought to have drivers licenses from their own countries. I don't mind Mexicans and Canadians coming here lawfully as tourists and driving properly, but before they come here they should get drivers licenses from their own countries - or not drive.
When TN gave out licenses to illegals, their accident rate increased, insurance rates increased and overall crime rates increased. That's why they got rid of the program - it is a magnet that attracts illegal immigrants.
====
"Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm." -- James Madison
People who are registered to drive are far less likely to injure or kill others than those who are driving with no license.
You got the cause and effect backwards. There's a reason people don't have a license. Someone who has had their license taken away for excessive violations or DWI is much more likely to kill others in traffic accidents. Big surprise, there, eh? Having the license doesn't make you a better driver.
Moreover -- especially for a state which has been hit by terrorism -- there is a lot to be said for having a picture and address for those who live in your state.
You don't know that any of the information used to obtain the license is accurate, so it is worthless as ID. The state might as well just get into the fake ID business.
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
People who are registered to drive may be less likely to injure others because they are normally here LEGALLY. You cannot use statistics that do not apply to this new domain that includes registered lawbreakers.
Another thought: do illegals drive legally-registered vehicles? If so, how? (and don't say: badly)
-- A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. Anyone care to change sides?
-- I see abortion as a choice issue... the baby's choice would be life.
-- imwithfred --
The Law in its majestic equality forbids the rich as well as the poor from sleeping under bridges and begging in the streets for bread. (Anatole France)
First;
"People who are registered to drive are far less likely to injure or kill others than those who are driving with no license."
Care to cite your source for this?
Second;
"Moreover -- especially for a state which has been hit by terrorism -- there is a lot to be said for having a picture and address for those who live in your state."
See below.
http://www.9-11pdp.org/press/2004-12-03_factsheet.pdf
The hijackers obtained 13 driver’s licenses (two of which were duplicates) and 21
USA or state-issued identification cards (usually used for showing residence in
the U.S. or a state).
• The driver’s licenses themselves were all legal, that is, they were not forged. But
they were not all legally obtained. Seven hijackers used fraudulent means (false
statements of residency) to acquire legitimate identifications in Virginia.
• Their fraud in obtaining driver’s licenses did not arise from them being
undocumented aliens. All the hijackers entered the United States with proper
immigration documents, but several had committed fraudulent acts to get them.
Care to clarify?
An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't.
Anatole France
I agree with Stang and would like to see some documentation for the claim that driving registration equals safer driver.
Living in South Orange County California, we are all too familiar with illegals and wild driving with or without the license. Early this year Mexican truckers were allowed to come across the border to deliver freight. The concern has been that they are not always completely honest about their loads, and respectful of our traffic laws. Just because it is now legal to truck, doesn't mean everything they do is legal.
What makes the people of New York think that the illegals will suddenly become totally honest and give accurate addresses and other information necessary anyway? The potential for fraud is too great.
Thank you Mr. Thompson for the clarity. The only way the opposition can win this one is by attempting to muddy the issue.
Soldier's Mom - Golfer's Wife - Home alone a lot
If they aren't in the country, they don't need a drivers license.
You may disagree with Thompson on our policy toward illegal immigration, but you could read what he has to say. If they are illegal, they should not be here. No license required.
At least three of the nineteen Middle Eastern immigrants that murdered nearly three thousand Americans on September 11, 2001, were illegal aliens by virtue of having overstayed their visas. Those illegal alien terrorist murderers all had legal identification documents that allowed them to board airplanes and kill Americans.
Giving illegal aliens identification documents sure is a great idea.
"The defense of our nation begins with the defense of our borders." - Rep. Tom Tancredo
The policy of giving illegal aliens driver licences and later certficates of driving worked so well in Tennessee that Governor Bredesen had to shut down the program by executive order and the following year the legislature repealed all laws that allowed illegal aliens to obtain driving privileges in Tennessee.
"The defense of our nation begins with the defense of our borders." - Rep. Tom Tancredo
raider
So if elected, will Tom Terrific Tancredo get a drivers license to drive big trucks so he can participate in them illegal alien round up rodeos?
He can get on soon in NY with very little hassle.
YeeeeeeHawwww
______________________________________
Proud member of the Barry Goldwater wing of the party !
Tom Tancredo believes that illegals alien should not be given legal status. Do you believe that illegal aliens should be given any form of legal status?
Which illegal aliens should not be deported?
Tom Tancredo strongly supported H.R. 4437, a bill that would
have comprehensively address the problem of illegal immigration in this country. It was overwhelmingly supported by House Republicans. Did you support H.R. 4437?
Please tell me a single vote that Tom Tancredo has taken on the subject of illegal immigration with which you disagree.
What current member of Congress best represents your views on the subject of immigration?
As part of an attrition strategy to address the problem of illegal aliens, Tom Tancredo supports the increased enforcement of laws already on the books against employing illegal aliens. Do you support the concept of attrition through enforcement?
Tom Tancredo supports greatly increasing the number of border patrol agents. Do you suppport greatly increasing the number of border patrol agents?
Tom Tancredo supports increasing the number of ICE agents for increased interior enforcement of our immigration laws. Do you support increasing the number of ICE agents? Do you support increased interior enforcement of this nation's immigration laws?
Tom Tancredo supports increasing the number of detention beds for illegal aliens. Do you support increasing the number of detention beds for illegal aliens?
"The defense of our nation begins with the defense of our borders." - Rep. Tom Tancredo
is illegal and the fact that the Bush Administrations Homeland Security Chief would sign off on it is even more disturbing.
I am hopeful that you sir keep at this issue because for this conservative illegal immigration is the number one issue.
I feel that all things run down hill from that issue....taxes, security and the soverignity of the United States.
Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion
Even those without strong feelings on illegal immigration can figure out that a 3 tiered system of drivers licenses is asking for a bureaucratic nightmare. Just plain dumb. The Republicans ought to be hitting this issue hard... except of course once again the Bush Administration reached out to give the Dems cover on it.
It's nice to hear one of our candidates address possibly the most serious repercussion of giving driver's license to illegal immigrants: voter fraud. Why this isn't discussed by EVERY one of the GOP candidates is beyond me.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
You are soft spoken Senator, but right on target as usual.
That the sensible things that many or most of us know intuitively should happen require so much defense when we're "little people" and are so easily and gracefully stated when the speaker is not. "Little" that is. Kudos to you for being so clear and direct; would it be that the rest of us could get away with it. I appreciate your support and clearheadedness and straightforward candor on this, Senator.
Lots of us think these thoughts and even write them down, but coming from one of us they carry much less weight than they do coming from you. Even if you wind up losing to MyManMitt, this post is *much closer* to what America needs than what it has been getting.
Americans aren't the problem, they're the solution. They know what needs to be done to get this country back on track. We need more politicians who aren't going to pander and aren't going to dissemble, and will come right out and help us say what we already know.
A Corollary of that post is that from this point forward I'm going to be looking for the Republican candidate that *makes the most sense* -- not what area of the country they're from, not what they did in a past life, not what their religion is, but the one that *makes the most sense* and is unapologetic about it. That person will get my unequivocal support and my vote.
Your challenge, along with your competitors, is to intuit and divine the things that most need to be said. This was a good start.
This is just another ploy at the Democrats to boost their voting block. In NY, giving illegals a drivers licence gives them a voter registration card as well. So, the Dems will get what they really want, a million plus more to go vote for them illegally. This country be serious about immigration? Not in our lifetime. We have allowed our dialog to become so vitriolic, it's hard to find any issue where common sense and security for all would carry the day. We no longer have statesmen in Congress; we have greedy wind bags that no longer represent their constituency. They are driven by their PACs, their campaign contributions, their corporate gifts, and whatever slice of the nutroot that give them favorable press. Just look at last night's debate and ask yourself when was the last time a UFO was the topic of a question in a Presidential debate.
YES!!! initially i sided with the no vote until i noticed something included on my license. MY ADDRESS!!! how could we make it any easier for the immigration authorities to track down the illegals.(yes, illegal, not "undocumented")
This is beyond wrong... This is clearly an heinous attempt by the Democrat Party through "creeping incremental" means to circumvent the Constitution and hijack the American Process, by stacking the deck through illegal means. Motor Voter should be taken to task by either repeal or judicial means. This is clearly unconstitutional. Someone should openly take Hillary to task and point out the obvious nature of this strategy and watch her try to squirm her way out of answering that question.
Jaime
New Jersey
We came close to having driver's licenses for illegals in Florida. Gov. Jeb Bush endorsed it and there was plenty of support in the legislature.
This is a great example of why citizens must speak out to overcome the occasional lapses in judgement of our elected leaders.
We spoke and we were heard. We've just got to get LOUDER.
It is our former governor, and current U.S. Senator, Mel Martinez, that either needs to see the light soon or find an exit. Gov. Crist has been the definitive RINO (no his pic is not in the dictionary.) I cannot see either of them, with a straight face, endorsing anyone but Rudy. These two could never be on same stage as Fred Thompson without some words flying! It is frustrating down here.
-- imwithfred in Florida --
When they show up to get them, arrest and deport them.
____
CongressCritter™: Never have so few felt like they were owed so much by so many for so little.
That judge who stopped the letters from Homeland (In)Security would stop the deportations, crying that they were tricked. Maybe the "You won the lottery" scam would work better?
Can someone confirm that the driver's tests are in English in NY State? These folks would have to pass a test, like everyone else, right?
-- imwithfred --
Can someone confirm that the driver's tests are in English in NY State?
In Minnesota we offer the test in Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, Spanish, Russian, and English. Why would anyone who is driving need to be able to read English road signs, right?
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
Al at the DMV:
DMV: "What language would you like your test in?"
Al: "This is America. What language do you think I want it in?"
DMV: "Oh, Spanish!"
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Let's nominate the Nash Equilibrium for President.
So when the officer asks you if you were speeding, can you say you could not convert the Somalian speed limit sign to english?
-- A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. Anyone care to change sides?
-- I see abortion as a pro-choice issue... the baby's choice would be life.
-- imwithfred --
HTML Help Central for Red Staters
Let's nominate the Nash Equilibrium for President.
Your plain-spoken, common-sense and common decency approach to politics are so very much appreciated. Keep up the honesty with the issues that matter to all Americans who love this amazing place, what is has been in years gone by and what it can be again with the right leadership. You and your family are in my prayers for health, strength and resolve.
From a fellow Tennessean who has watched and respected you for years.
This is the issue that can bring the "Reagan Democrats" back over - the vast majority of the American people are on the correct side of this while the leading democrat presidential nominees are all on the wrong side of this issue. Please, for the love of all that is good & holy, make this as much a centerpiece in your campaign as GWOT.
BTW... Another Tennessean here, I was priviledged to meet your mother several years ago in Williamson County. Let's roll!
What makes you think any of them are Democrats any more in the intervening 24 years since Reagan's last election?
HTML Help Central for Red Staters
Let's nominate the Nash Equilibrium for President.
Then the critics might believe he has that "fire" in his belly that they are fixated on.
-- A true evolutionist would let endangered species die off. That's the whole theory. Anyone care to change sides?
-- I see abortion as a pro-choice issue... the baby's choice would be life. Like yours was.
-- imwithfred --
Sir--
It's a pleasure to hear common sense from a candidate for high office. Please keep spreading the message!
Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others. Winston Churchill