FR Exclusive: Jeb answers questions about his support of drivers licenses for undocumented workers

Jeb's emails to FR poster, summer | April 6, 2004 | Jeb Bush

[summer]

Re your post #59 - also see my post #50.

[Xenalyte]

Your post 50 is essentially a restatement of your 39, which my 59 answered. The answer is that nothing is keeping them from obtaining citizenship the regular way, except the reward of welfare and the other benefits of US life that one can get from not wading through all that legal rot.

[B Knotts]

Yes, they are. So, they can be arrested, and turned over to the feds to be deported.

Oops. The feds won't deport them.

So, we should just give up, I guess.

[summer]

The answer is that nothing is keeping them from obtaining citizenship the regular way,

Nothing? I would thought perhaps there is a language barrier that maybe makes it more difficult to learn what they need to pass a citizen's test...or there are lawyer fees they can't afford...or something. I really don't know. Is it so easy to become a citizen, as you imply above?

[summer]

I meant: I would have thought

[judgeandjury]

Are you sure they're not out there on the roads now?

If they are, that's ANOTHER law that illegal aliens are violating. If they're caught driving without a license, they should be immediately turned over to Immigration officials for deportation.

[expatpat]

Yup. If the illegals get special driver's licenses they have registered as illegals and can be tracked.

[expatpat]

And stringent background checks on prospective foster-parents.

[azhenfud]

There is a consular interview to which the applicant must be abled to speak and comprehend conversational English.

There's nothing wrong with that - it was originally to save America from becoming a multi-lingual mess. Non-enforcement of existing immigration policy has, in effect, undermined that.

This DL, will all applicants be required to read and comprehend English?

[Dog Gone]

I will agree that it's somewhat better that every driver in this country have license, but not having a license is no deterrent to illegal aliens in this country who need to drive to work, or wherever.

All aliens should be required to get a license. This is no different than any country requires of Americans who move there.

But illegal aliens are necessarily, by definition, in this country illegally. At a minimum that should mean that they file the necessary paperwork to be here legally under whatever status that might be, or they should be required to leave.

The last thing you do is give them more legal identification and privileges with regard to motor vehicles.

So while I agree that it's not the states' job to enforce immigration laws, that doesn't mean that they should do things to make it worse.

I think the world of Jeb, but he's taking the wrong stance here.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

"He isn't saying anything that wasn't said previously by Gray Davis."

Or Gil Cedillo.

[summer]

This DL, will all applicants be required to read and comprehend English?

Good question. Thanks, azhenfud.

[lonewacko_dot_com]

"if this helps get uninsured drivers insured, that would be a good thing for all of us."

And a good thing for the insurance industry. They're big donators to Arnold, I wonder how much Jeb gets?

[Libertina]

You know, Summer, I believe that this system is harmful for the Mexican workers as well. Many of them are away from their families. We in America know what that does to a society to have a father gone. In addition, when the US takes allows them in, their own corrupt government has less incentive to change. It merely dumps its poor on us. And at some point it is a fraud upon the American people. Charity is voluntarily given, but taxes taken by an out of control federal/state government and judiciary is theft - it is slavery for Americans.

I prefer trying to implement something where both sides are lifted up. Have you wondered how many Christians are in the US? Millions, and we spend billions a year on holiday and Christmas items. Currently much of this is produced in China, by a government that would spend the proceeds to turn more missiles upon us. However, many citizens of Mexico are strong Christians. They are family oriented.

I think we should set up a manufacturing zone where they can produce Christian items with "loving hands" and we get them at the border for distribution. They would have jobs in Mexico, keep their families intact, become more educated, begin to influence and take positions in their government. Americans would find partners not "social cases", have the tax burden of unconsitutional government "programs" lifted, less pressure on our hospitals and schools... and MORE.

It seems to me that this would use capitalism (supposedly our "system") to lift us all. I say get smart, show TRUE compassion by respecting ALL of the people and just do it. I'll volunteer to put it together!

[azhenfud]

one last note: will these DL's have state-to-state reciprocity? or will the right to drive be limited to Florida's roadways?

[summer]

If the illegals get special driver's licenses they have registered as illegals and can be tracked.

This was my first thought, too, when I initially read of Gov Bush's position.

[evilC]

Given that you are a Florida public school teacher, perhaps you can answer this question.

How much it does it cost Florida taxpayers to educate the children (and "anchor babies") of these illegal aliens?

[baseballmom]

Thanks summer. I appreciate Jeb (or someone) taking the time to fully respond to the question.

I guess I'm just stuck on the "illegality" of the situation. Why bother to have laws and borders if they are not even enforced?

I resent the taking of something that is not earned, but the humanity of the situation tugs at me too.

[summer]

I prefer trying to implement something where both sides are lifted up

I agree with this sentiment, and I think you make a lot of good points in your post #74. But, watch out - if you want to volunteer to do all that in this state, Gov Bush will probably write to you himself!!! :)

[JoeSchem]

You're obviously a troll. A patriotic American like Jeb Bush would never support such a treasonous plan to devalue American citizenship by giving greater rights to foreign invaders.