Posted on 04/05/2006 3:16:27 PM PDT by new yorker 77
TRENTON - A lot of people don't have what it takes to get a New Jersey driver's license under new state rules requiring stricter proof of identification.
The way Assemblyman Joseph Vas sees it, that doesn't mean fewer people are driving.
It just means more people are driving unlicensed.
Following other state lawmakers across the country, Vas (D., Middlesex) has introduced legislation to allow those who cannot prove they live here lawfully - many of them illegal immigrants - to get a driving privilege card.
The card would let the holder drive legally but could not be used as official identification to board a plane, for example, or to enter a federal building.
Vas called his proposal, which would require applicants to take a driving test and obtain insurance, a "practical solution to a real problem."
An estimated 12 million illegal immigrants live and work in the United States, including about 350,000 in New Jersey. Immigrant advocates say many drive without a license because they have no other way to get to work.
This bill "is going to make our roads safer," Vas said.
But others see cause for concern, which could mean a rough road for the proposal and others like it. Vas acknowledged that his bill, which has yet to gain any traction in the Legislature, "isn't politically popular."
As Congress contemplates its first immigration overhaul in 20 years, cries are emerging from across the country for the federal government to crack down on the undocumented population - not abet it.
Critics say the driving privilege cards, versions of which are being considered in about a half-dozen other states (but not Pennsylvania), would reward illegal immigrants for breaking the law. In a Quinnipiac University poll released this month, 72 percent of the Americans who responded opposed granting driving privileges to anyone who cannot prove he or she lives here legally.
Concerns about security and potential abuse have made the cards an even tougher sell.
Supporters say they hope to learn from others' experience.
While nine states do not require proof of lawful presence to get a driver's license, Tennessee and Utah have adopted a separate driving privilege like the one proposed by Vas. But Tennessee suspended its program last month after it was discovered that people from other states were using fraudulent documents to apply.
"I think a lot of states are waiting to see: Is this the right way to proceed?" said Melissa Savage, who tracks driver's license issues for the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Vas said he intended to help not illegal immigrants but New Jerseyans who flooded his office with complaints after the state instituted its "six-point" rules for getting a license.
Under the system, forms of identification are assigned point values, and at least two pieces, totaling six points, are required to get a license. Vas said many constituents had said the standard was impossible to meet even for some legal residents, including seniors and war veterans without birth certificates and passports.
Under his proposal, the Motor Vehicle Commission would determine what documentation was needed to get a driving privilege card. The card, which would resemble a license and bear a digital photo, would be valid for a year and could be renewed.
Assemblyman Christopher Connors (R., Ocean) said it would be foolhardy to adopt a plan that had proved problematic in Tennessee.
"We'd be ringing the bell, saying, 'Come to New Jersey. We'll give you driver's licenses,' " Connors said. "It's going to be, 'Come one, come all.' "
John Keeley, director of communications for the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates reduced immigration and stricter enforcement of immigration laws, said Vas and other local and state officials were simply "trying to grapple with the consequences of Washington's failure to enforce immigration laws."
But he said the driving privilege cards, which he called "amnesty with a small a," were not a solution.
"This is taking a group of individuals not here legally and granting them a privilege," he said. "You can call it what you want, dress it up all you want, but it's still an amnesty... . This runs counter to any sort of enforcement climate that is quickly coalescing nationally."
State Sen. Robert Singer (R., Ocean) said it "was inexcusable that less than five years after 9/11 a legislator would even consider issuing what amounts to a de facto driving license to people who are in the country illegally."
Supporters, including many pro-immigrant groups in New Jersey, contend the cards would grant no legitimacy to those here without proper documentation. Instead, they say, the cards would help level the playing field for the millions of illegal workers who contribute to the economy.
Martin Perez, president of the Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey, said it was hypocritical for people to enjoy food prepared and lawns manicured by illegal immigrants and then deny them the right to drive to work.
"We must recognize the substantial contribution of immigrant workers to our economy," Perez said. "Providing driving privileges makes good economic sense."
Others support granting more rights to illegal immigrants but question whether this is the best way to do it.
Some argue that giving immigrants a separate card would confer second-class status. Others worry that information the immigrants provided to get a card would be used against them.
Vas said the program would improve homeland security because the state, for the first time, would have a record of at least some of its illegal residents. He said that information would not be used in any immigration crackdown.
But Michele Waslin, director of immigration policy research at the National Council of La Raza, which bills itself as the nation's largest Latino civil-rights and advocacy organization, isn't so sure.
"We have a lot of fear about having a database of people who are undocumented and whether that could be used for immigration enforcement purposes," she said. "If so, people are not going to come forward and apply."
Perhaps because of the questions, Vas' bill does not have companion legislation in the Senate, and legislative leaders have been mum on whether they will consider it. Officials at the Motor Vehicle Commission, too, have been noncommittal, saying only that they were "taking a serious look" at the bill.
Vas said the lack of movement did not bother him.
"I want to move slowly," he said. "This is an emotional issue. I want to build support... . The more people understand the bill, the more they say, 'You know what? This isn't such a bad idea.' "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact staff writer Jennifer Moroz at 609-989-8990 or jmoroz@phillynews.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2006 Philadelphia Inquirer and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.philly.com
This is such total Bull$hit . You need a total of six points of assorted ID to get a driver's license in NJ . People who have lived in the state for 25+ years had a problem digging up information for renewal. You almost need a passport to qualify . The lawmakers in this state should be run out of town on a rail.
Joseph Vas is a moron.
Politician sought leniency for sex offender
Records: Perth Amboy mayor wrote letter in case concerning Morris girl, 15
BY SUZANNE C. RUSSELL
GANNETT NEW JERSEY
PERTH AMBOY -- Assemblyman Joseph Vas, who prides himself in the legislation he has introduced to toughen laws against sex offenders, wrote a letter two years ago seeking leniency for man who had admitted having sex with a teenager.
Vas, who is running for the vacant 13th Congressional District seat in the June Democratic primary, has introduced multiple bills increasing penalties and restrictions for sex offenders and providing more protection for sex crime victims.
But two years ago Vas asked for leniency for the son of a friend who admitted having sex with a 15-year-old Morris County girl and possessing child pornography. In the letter he sent to the judge, Vas said he had known the man for more than 40 years.
The mother of that man, who was recently released from state prison and is living in Perth Amboy, said she feels bad for getting Vas involved by asking him to write the letter and she hopes it won't have any impact on his bid for Congress.
Vas, Perth Amboy's mayor for the past 15 years, wrote the letter in March 2004 on New Jersey General Assembly letterhead, seeking leniency for a friend Joe Trinidad who had pleaded guilty to second degree sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. References to the letter were posted this week on Politicsnj.com and e-mailed to subscribers of NJLatinoIssues, a listserv.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, Trinidad pleaded guilty to the second degree sexual assault charge for the statutory rape of the girl who was 15 years old when she and Trinidad met. He also pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child, a fourth degree crime, for possession of child pornography.
Trinidad was sentenced May 14, 2004 to five years in state prison for the sexual assault and served about a third of his sentence, which is standard, officials said. The 18-month sentence for the endangering charge ran concurrent with the five-year sentence. The sentence also included a Megan's Law examination, parole for life, and no contact with the victim or her family.
He is a convicted sex offender and was placed on Megan's Law by the judge, according to Meg Rodriguez, the Morris County assistant prosecutor who handled the case.
Vas said he asked the court to give Trinidad consideration, especially since a psychological report determined he would not commit the crime again. Vas said he was only aware that Trinidad had pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child, not the sexual assault charge.
"I stand by the psychologist's report that he's no risk to repeat the crime. Therefore my letter reaffirms the nature of his character that he was honorably discharged from the Navy. What was presented to me is he pleaded guilty to one charge," Vas said.
In Morristown court
Vas wrote to Superior Court Judge John Harper, sitting in Morristown, that he has known Trinidad for 40 years and considers his family close friends. Trinidad, 43, is the son of Lydia Trinidad, the long time executive director of the Puerto Rican Association for Human Development, a social service agency in Perth Amboy.
"Mr. Trinidad faces the loss of his profession, his personal and professional reputation has been tarnished and his family has been deeply affected by all that has happened. I would, therefore, respectfully urge the court to consider leniency in sentencing Mr. Trinidad. Between the economic devastation that he has gone through, the humiliation that he has experienced and the devastation to his reputation, I believe that Mr. Trinidad has already paid a stiff price," Vas wrote.
Julie Roginsky, a spokesman for Assemblyman Albio Sires, D-Hudson, Vas's opponent in the 13th Congressional District primary, said she found it "shocking" someone would say a sex offender has paid enough and should get leniency.
"It says something about his (Vas) values and priorities,"said Roginsky, adding she can't understand how anyone who molested a young girl has ever paid enough for one of the most heinous crimes.
Vas maintains he's been tough on sex offenders.
"I have more bills (than other legislators) making it tougher on sex offenders," said Vas, who represents the 19th Legislative District, adding four or five bills are scheduled to be signed into law this year. "There is no inconsistency with my position."
He has introduced legislation creating mandatory minimum terms of 10 years for defendants convicted of the aggravated sexual assault of children under age 13.
Vas also wants to prohibit sex offenders from selling from ice cream trucks or living near schools, child-care center or playgrounds as well as require electronic monitoring for certain sex offenders.
State Department of Corrections records show Trinidad was released Jan. 17 from the Mid-State Correctional Facility in Wrightstown, Burlington County. He is living in Perth Amboy, according to his mother, who said her son has a part-time job and is seeking full time employment.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060330/COMMUNITIES/603300320/1203/NEWS01
As for licenses for illegals, perhaps the Jersey governor should ask Gray Davis how well that issue worked for him.
Six points of ID? Man, I'd be hard-pressed to come up with more than two picture IDs, let alone another 6.
I'm shocked. The idea that people would simply ignore existing laws and drive without the proper documentation is something not to be believed. Next thing we'll hear is that they didn't have the proper papers to come here legally! Oh....wait. Well, that will all be solved in a few weeks when they can follow the new procedures to get their certified amnesty. I mean, we can be confident that they wouldn't break this new law, right? I mean, look how well that's worked with gun control laws to keep guns out of the hands of criminals! Oh, wait.....never mind.
I loved this:
"We have a lot of fear about having a database of people who are undocumented and whether that could be used for immigration enforcement purposes."
Wow. Enforcing the law. What a novel concept.
No, I think particular types of ID are assigned a point value. Picture ID's would be worth more points than more generic type ID's. You need to provide enough forms of ID to get 6 points worth, not have six separate forms of ID.
Right:
"Under the system, forms of identification are assigned point values, and at least two pieces, totaling six points, are required to get a license."
Now, if only we could have them be as stringent in asking for ID when you go to vote! I have to show ID to play pool at Dave and Busters but not to vote!
No Drivers Licenses for criminal aliens. Lock them up and send them home.
On Thursday, Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., and co-sponsor Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill plan to introduce a bill in the U.S. House that calls for a commission to study the "deportation and coerced emigration" Mexicans in the 1930's! And reparations are mentioned!
It's a USA Today article today, front page, titled "US urged to apologize for 1930s deportations". We can't post USA Today articles here or I'd post it.
You can post the USA Today article and the link to the article in a response in a this current thread.
There are moments when I hear the oft-repeated refrain "We CAN'T deport 11 million illegals! It's not possible."
Maybe so -- but couldn't you make it at least appear as though you're TRYING?
Interesting thing on the "6 points" ID. We may very well have this system in the Valley of the Moonbat here on the W.C. but I'm unaware of it.
Damn. If I were king, all I'd ask for is the old license and a birth certificate.
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