MCC pushes for immigrant driver’s licenses, textbook funding

The 2013 Maryland General Assembly session ends midnight April 8, and the Maryland Catholic Conference expects to work up to the legislature’s final hours on policy issues ranging from stem-cell research funding transparency to nonpublic school textbook funding.

Among the legislation getting a final push from the MCC is the Maryland Highway Safety Act, which would allow the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to issue driver’s licenses or identification cards to people without a Social Security number.

“Expanding the eligibility for a driver’s license would protect all drivers in the state and make our roads and highways safer,” the MCC said in a March 27 “Action Alert” e-mail. “Licenses allow us to procure car insurance, which protects us, our passengers and our fellow drivers.”

Mary Ellen Russell, MCC executive director, said the MCC has always supported the bill as a means of securing one of the “basic necessities of life” for undocumented immigrants, and she is hopeful the bill (SB 715/HB 789) will pass this year. It passed the Senate and awaits a vote in the House of Delegates.

Also awaiting vote in the House is the Firearm Safety Act (SB 281), which the Senate passed in February. The bill would tighten Maryland’s laws pertaining to firearm ownership, possession and sales, especially in regard to what the bill classifies as an “assault weapon.”

The MCC supports the legislation as outlining “reasonable measures” to limiting the loss of life through gun violence, Russell said. If it passes in the House, the bill will go to a conference committee to reconcile House and Senate versions.

A conference committee is currently working on the state’s budget (SB 125/HB 100). The MCC is advocating for the proposed funding levels for textbooks in nonpublic schools, a school breakfast program and safety net programs.

Reminder: How Mexico Treats "Undesirable" Foreigners Townhall.com | March 27 | Michelle Malkin / FR Posted by Kaslin

American politicians in both parties are stampeding all over themselves to pander to Mexico and adopt mass illegal alien amnesty schemes. But while the Mexican government lobbies for more "humane" treatment of illegal border crossers from their country into ours, Mexico remains notoriously restrictionist toward "undesirable" foreigners who break their laws or threaten their security.

Despite widely touted immigration "reforms" adopted in 2011, Mexico still puts Mexico first -- as any country that is serious about protecting its sovereignty should and would.

Article 33 of Mexico's constitution establishes the right of the president to detain and deport "any foreigner" and prohibits foreigners from participating "in any way" in the political affairs of the country.

While you read this passage, dwell on the demagogic rhetoric of meddling Mexican consular officials and lobbyists who assail America for its (poorly enforced) detention and deportation policies:

"The President of the Republic shall have the power to expel from national territory any foreigner, according to the law and after a hearing. The law shall establish the administrative procedure for this purpose, as well as the place where the foreigner should be detained and the time for that. Foreigners may not in any way participate in the political affairs of the country."

Article 32 of Mexico's constitution unapologetically bans non-native born residents from holding sensitive jobs and joining the country's military. Preference is given unabashedly to Mexicans over foreigners.

While you read this passage, contemplate the inexorable push by open-borders groups to secure illegal alien "rights" to American jobs, American military assignments, American driver's licenses, discounted U.S. college tuition and Obamacare:

"Only Mexicans by birth can perform all government employments, positions, or commissions in which the status of citizenship is indispensable. During peacetime, foreigners shall neither serve in the Army nor in the police bodies. During peacetime, only Mexicans by birth can serve in the Army, in the Navy or in the Air Force as well can perform any employment or commission within such corporations.

The same condition applies to captains, pilots, skippers, ship engineers, flight engineers and, in general, to every crew member in a ship or an airplane carrying the Mexican flag. In the same way, only Mexicans by birth can be port harbormasters, steersmen and airport superintendents.

Mexicans shall have priority over foreigners, under equal circumstances, for all kind of concessions, employments, positions or commissions of the government in which the status of citizenship is not indispensable."

While amnesty advocates and civil liberties zealots in the U.S. decry "police state" tactics against illegal aliens, Mexico fiercely maintains laws against illegal border crossings; "verification visits" to enforce visa conditions; requirements that foreigners produce proof of legal status on demand; and enforcement and cooperation between and among immigration officials and law enforcement authorities at all levels in Mexico. Native-born Mexicans are also empowered to make citizens arrests of illegal aliens and turn them in to authorities.

Mexico's National Catalog of Foreigners tracks all outside tourists and foreign nationals. A National Population Registry tracks and verifies the identity of every member of the population, who must carry a citizens identity card. Visitors who do not possess proper documents and identification are subject to arrest at any time.

And for those seeking permanent residency or naturalization, Mexico requires that they must not be economic burdens on society and must have clean criminal histories. Those seeking to obtain Mexican citizenship must show a birth certificate, provide a bank statement proving economic independence, pass an exam and prove they can provide their own health care.

Applicants are assessed based on a point system using factors such as level of education, employment experience, and scientific and technological knowledge. Property acquisition and ownership by foreigners is still severely restricted. Mexican corporations are banned from hiring illegal aliens.

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Exit question: If such self-interested "nativism" is right and good for the protection and survival of Mexico, why is it not for the United States?

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