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]

Good news - this bill is dead.

Today I read the article below saying the bill has been "put on hold" -- (and, yes, I will still eventually write to Gov Bush's office with your specific questions, but I did not yet get to it this holiday weekend):

Bill To Allow Illegal Aliens Drivers' Licenses Stalls In Senate

POSTED: 10:19 pm EDT April 12, 2004

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A bill that would allow illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses stalled in a Senate committee Monday because of security concerns raised by law enforcement officials.

Bill sponsor Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah, said the legislation may have a glitch, specifically regarding whether other countries can provide acceptable criminal background checks.

"I would not want to move forward until I have those questions answered," Garcia said after asking the Senate Transportation Committee to put the bill (SB 1630) on hold.

He has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to provide information about the process consulates and embassies use to conduct background checks. If the bill dies, Garcia said he will propose studying the issue before the 2005 legislative session begins.

The proposal comes as other states are rejecting similar proposals. Four months ago, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger repealed a law that would have allowed about 2 million illegal immigrant drivers there to begin applying for licenses. He cited domestic security concerns as a reason.

Illinois lawmakers two weeks ago overwhelming rejected letting illegal immigrants obtain drivers licenses. Arizona legislators are moving to toughen the state's requirement that drivers license applicants provide proof of authorized presence in the United States.

But proponents here say Florida's 15 requirements for approval, from fingerprinting to background checks, would ensure licenses don't get in the hands of terrorists. Some committee members expressed support for the concept of the bill, but Sen. Evelyn Lynn said everyone who has called her about it opposes it.

"What I am hearing from everyone is 'How can you condone the fact that they're here illegally by giving them a license?'" said Lynn, R-Ormond Beach.

Sen. Ron Klein said the state just can't ignore that illegal immigrants are living in Florida and said he would support the idea of a study regarding all immigration issues.

"It's not just about driver's licenses," said Klein, D-Boca Raton. "It's about the basics. It's about housing, it's about health care, it's about education."

Garcia said allowing undocumented aliens to obtain licenses would not only make roads safer, it would provide security by creating a record of who they are and where they live. He said officials were able to track the steps of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists through their driving records.

But the Sept. 11 attacks are one of the reasons illegal immigrants should not receive licenses, said James Staudenraus of the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

Of the three states that issued licenses to the terrorists - Florida, New Jersey and Virginia - only Florida is seeking legislation allowing illegal immigrants to get licenses, he said.

"It has given (Garcia) and the Florida state Legislature notoriety that they don't want," Staudenraus said.

Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press.

[BenLurkin]

Thank you for the update.

[summer]

You're welcome, BenLurkin. It is my belief the people on this thread were heard, but that is just my opinion.

[brityank]

Thank you for the follow-up, summer.

"It's not just about driver's licenses," said Klein, D-Boca Raton. "It's about the basics. It's about housing, it's about health care, it's about education."

He's right; it is about the basics -- basically the theft of Florida Citizens tax moneys and votes to satisfy an ever increasing illegal alien lobby. No Sir; you shall not steal any more money from your constituents.

As noted, they will bring this back in the next session, so you Floridians will need to keep an eye open to keep your wallet closed.

[lewislynn]

Thanks summer.

Good news - this bill is dead.

Bad news is it wasn't Bush who killed it.

[TheLion]

Thanks for the update. It was some good news. I was just reading your post #299 about state aid to foreign students. That would make an interesting thread on its own.

I hope you are right and that we are making a difference!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the update!

[NonValueAdded]

Ditto on the thanks for the update, Summer. I got my email response from the DOT today saying it was sent at Jeb's direction. Pretty much the same info you posted days ago. It is good to hear that this incarnation is on hold.

[k2blader]

Thanks for the info. Glad it's dead.

I simply don't buy the line that "allowing undocumented illegal aliens to obtain licenses would not only make roads safer, it would provide security by creating a record of who they are and where they live".

Do these people really think the illegals will eagerly line up to be recorded?

[familyofman]

Such a short-lived attempt can only mean the original effort wasn't really based on a firmly held belief. The question remains - why put this ill-conceived idea out in public in the first place?

[wku man]

This is good news, that the bill is dead...for now. Even though We The Sheeple don't have the guts or will to enforce our immigration laws or get serious about border security, I'm glad to see that apparently we draw the line at giving the scumbags drivers' licenses.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[NathanR]

Bill sponsor Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Hialeah, said the legislation may have a glitch, specifically regarding whether other countries can provide acceptable criminal background checks.

You think!??! That is a major problem with this whole idea. Many countries will not even have documents on these people, and if they are actually political refugees they might be 'criminals'. Especially from places like Cuba.

[MegaSilver]

WHEW! For now, we can breathe... a little bit.

Thanks, Summer!

[YoSoy2]

"Good news - this bill is dead."

Yes, good news indeed for those who opposed the bill, but not so good for those who favored this bill.

I reread most of your posts and it's clear that you supported this bill or you would not have posted it for Jeb Bush. So, I ask, if you supported this bill, don't you think it's hypocritical of you to say it's good news?

I do not support granting driver licenses to criminal illegal aliens, just as I do not support the next wave of wealth redistribution scheme known as educational vouchers. I support an educational tax credit.

I want all third world illegal aliens out of my country. Period. Certain issues are not for debate. The ultimate intent to discuss an absolute (eg illegal aliens) is to dilute the original premise, which is that third world illegal aliens are criminals and should be deported to their country of origin asap. Enough with the balkanization and bastardization of our culture and our demographics!!

[Missouri]

Bump.