Illegals, immigrants line up for licenses

Washington Times ^

[Kokojmudd]

By Keyonna Summers THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published May 12, 2006

Luz Maria Sanchez is wide awake at 6 a.m. at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), having arrived at midnight to be first in a line of about 50 immigrants and illegal aliens waiting for the Beltsville branch to open.

"I'm tired. I haven't slept," said Miss Sanchez, a 34-year-old Salvadoran immigrant living in Hyattsville. "But [if I want a driver's license] I have to wait."

Overnight lines outside several MVA branches have evolved since the agency last month stopped taking appointments for immigrants to get driver's licenses and began a walk-in process.

Maryland license applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens, needing only to produce a variety of documents to prove state residency as well as attend a three-hour drug and alcohol course.

Immigrants and illegal aliens arrive at the MVA as early as 11 p.m., napping in cars in hopes of seeing an agent when the office opens at 7 a.m. -- an hour and a half before doors open to the general public. When the walk-in process began, some said they returned up to five nights -- skipping school or work -- because agents could not see the hundreds waiting for a limited number of spots.

"It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill. "I think it's something to make you quit, to make you say you don't want to do this anymore. But they are wrong. I will be here every day because I want to do things the right way and follow the law."

[Kokojmudd]

More motor voter illegals for the libs I suppose. Seccession anyone?

[sheana]

It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill.

If this guy is on a tourist visa why does he need a license here?

[mtbopfuyn]

And where is ICE?

[Semper Paratus]

A drivers license if one of the documents needed prove eligiblity to work.

[cripplecreek]

The impending extinction of the GOP whether we vote for them or not.

[Kokojmudd]

I had a tourist visa in s korea once...if I had applied for a drivers license it would have resulted in a 10k fine and deportation.

[DoctorMichael]

"Illegals, immigrants line up for licenses............."

...........and for Voter Registration.

[sheana]

mmmm I think you made my point. ;)

[Personal Responsibility]

It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill

What does someone on a TOURIST VISA need a DRIVERS LICENSE for?

[sheana]

I have been to Mexico many times on a tourist visa and NEVER applied for a driver's license there.
But, I don't think they would have given me one anyway and would have pulled my tourist visa and escorted me out of the country.

[Kokojmudd]

Yeah...I thought tourists were supposed to take taxis, tour buses and rickshaws.

[Mikey_1962]

"It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill.

You are being discriminated against: we discriminate between Citizens of the US and aliens.

By the way a tourist visa is good for 6 months with a possible 6 months extension MAXIMUM.

Since every state will recognize a valid divers license from any country there is no possible reason you need one.

Go Home.

[fabriclady]

"And where is ICE?"

This is disturbing. No illegal should be allowed to get a drivers license. They should be arrested on the spot.
Furthermore, they don't understand our driving laws.
A few years ago a woman from South America was driving to work in our city, the school bus was on the same route. She killed a student, did not know she was suppose to stop for a school bus. She was remorseful and I believed her.

Think of the thousands on our roads that don't understand our road signs.
this needs to stop...NOW!

[Yo-Yo]

Permanent resident aliens, Si.

Tourist visa, No.

Illegal aliens, Hell No.

[spectre]

Do they actually take the Driving part of the test? It would be comforting to know they can at least operate a vehicle when they get their DL..

sw

[Fruitbat]

Seccession anyone?

My thoughts exactly. I wonder how long it will be before that begins happening.

Prolly after a couple of southern states are taken over and annexed by Mexico as our government stands by with binoculars from Washington.

[jpsb]

Are US citizen permitted to drive in Mexico with a US driver license? I know a US drivers license is good in much of Europe, how about Mexicon. And does the US honor Mexican drivers licenses?

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

They feel discriminated against because they have to stand in line at the DMV???? WTH?!?!?!?

[zerosix]

"It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill. "I think it's something to make you quit, to make you say you don't want to do this anymore. But they are wrong. I will be here every day because I want to do things the right way and follow the law."

Try that attitude in Mexico, idiot, and you will find that you are very quickly, but not necessarily painlessly, escorted out the the country.

[Fruitbat]

"It feels like ... discrimination because we are the only people who have to do this," said William Medina, a Salvadoran immigrant on a tourist visa who lives in Oxon Hill.

People come here all the time with visas and international driving licenses and can drive just fine w/o US issued ones.

As to discrimination, when you become a citizen Bill, then you can talk about discrimination.