Posted on 12/19/2001 10:33:50 AM PST by flamefront
Stepping into a controversy, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously called Tuesday for legalization of illegal immigrants to ensure they have driver's licenses, safe housing, worker protections and adequate health care."We are not seeking any legislative action or blanket amnesty program, but we want to recognize that people can only live with dignity if they have access to health care, if they have a driver's license," said Councilman Eric Garcetti, who authored the resolution.
"Right now, these people live in sort of a shadowy area of our society. I think this helps our security by getting people out in the open where they can be recognized."
The measure was approved 12-0 without debate. It condemns the difficulties faced by illegal immigrants and says in part that "true legalization in the form of permanent legal status and citizenship ... should not be limited to any country or work industry."
In addition to providing access to driver's licenses, the measure urges that health care be provided along with access to clean and safe housing and working conditions, access to education, and a guarantee of minimum wages.
In adopting the resolution, which has no impact on local or state laws, the council put itself in the center of a debate that has raged in California for years.
Dan Stein, executive director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform in Washington, D.C., said the council's policy "would reward lawbreakers. What's sad is that they are people who think they're doing the right thing, but are misguided."
Tom Schiltgen, district director for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, said the agency would not take a position on the council's resolution. He said the agency endorses and promotes legal immigration.
"We think that is a good thing for the country and, of course, our responsibility also is to enforce those same laws," Schiltgen said. "We do not condone illegal immigration."
At the same time, he said the INS works with other law enforcement agencies to make sure people are not taken advantage of.
Garcetti said he was following proposals advanced by President George W. Bush after a summit with Mexican President Vicente Fox.
"And, since Sept. 11, this is even more important," Garcetti said. "Law enforcement supports a way to be able to identify people."
Gov. Gray Davis has opposed a measure that would give a blanket authority to issue driver's licenses to everyone, but has agreed to work on an approach that would balance public safety by developing some other method to insure the streets are safe.
"It's a delicate balancing act," spokeswoman Hillary McLean said. "The governor recognizes there is a need for something because people are driving and we want to see public safety needs are met."
Mayor James Hahn had no comment on the council action, but had been drawn into the debate earlier this year.
Following a trade mission to Mexico, the mayor said he supported a plan that would legalize residency for Mexican immigrants who have lived in the United States for years.
The invasion continues.
With the driver's licenses those people will be voting in the next election.
When a terrorist here illegally blows up Disneyland, the LA City Council won't even recognize their duplicity in the matter.
Really, do you think it's because their here illegally ???
And the roar of applause goes out from those waiting for free goods, just like the Arabs who applaude the WTC attack.
Hang on.
Other e-mails and info at City Council Page
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
The time to shut the door is right after the majority of the illegals head home for the holidays.
Make sure they stay there.
These poor shadow people, they do need these things. If only there was some place they could get them. Like MEXICO MAYBE!
A night, downtown turns into a bum's paradise. People take taxis instead of walking because it is not safe to walk. So, what does the council do? Absolutely nothing. Just a bunch of liberals who are more interested in illegal immigrant rights, homosexual rights, etc. As time goes by, LA becomes more and more populated by illegals as the white flight continues. It started with the public schools and busing of students in the 70s and has never stopped.
The people in question must find the lifestyle sufficiently "dignified" or they would not have broken the law to get here and live in that style.
Where's the percentage in providing, at taxpayers' expense, more "dignity" to those who, by their actions, have indicated that they are satisfied with the amount they already have? In fact, why does the LA city govt. assume that making life even more pleasant for this segment of society, will not encourage even MORE people to make the same decision, and illegally emigrate?
How Clintonesque, as in not knowing what 'is' is.
(b) STATE-ISSUED DRIVERS LICENSES AND COMPARABLE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS-
(1) STANDARDS FOR ACCEPTANCE BY FEDERAL AGENCIES-
(A) IN GENERAL- A Federal agency may
(i) APPLICATION PROCESS- The application process for the license or document shall include the presentation of such evidence of identity as is required by regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation after consultation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
(ii) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the license or document shall contain a social security account number that can be read visually or by electronic means.
(iii) FORM- The license or document otherwise shall be in a form consistent with requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation after consultation with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The form shall contain security features designed to limit tampering, counterfeiting, photocopying, or otherwise duplicating, the license or document for fraudulent purposes and to limit use of the license or document by impostors.
(B) EXCEPTION- The requirement in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not apply with respect to a driver's license or other comparable identification document issued by a State, if the State--
(i) does not require the license or document to contain a social security account number; and
(ii) requires--
(I) every applicant for a driver's license, or other comparable identification document, to submit the applicant's social security account number; and
(II) an agency of the State to verify with the Social Security Administration that such account number is valid.
It is a slow process but the cutting off of illegals is going along.Wait till they find state drivers licences cannot be used as ID for Federal elections.
They will rudely barge on right through with the momentum already in process IMO. Watch.
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