Posted on 10/27/2007 10:16:55 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Feds strike ID deal over NY licenses
By DEVLIN BARRETT, Associated Press Writer 6 minutes ago
The Bush administration and New York agreed Saturday on a compromise creating a more secure driver's license for U.S. citizens and allowing illegal immigrants to get a version.
New York is the fourth state to reach such an agreement, after Arizona, Vermont and Washington. The issue is pressing for border states, where new and tighter rules are soon to go into effect for crossings.
The deal comes about one month after New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer announced a plan whereby illegal immigrants with a valid foreign passport could obtain a license.
The agreement with the Homeland Security Department will create a three-tier license system in New York, the largest state to sign on so far to the government's post-Sept. 11 effort to make identification cards more secure.
Spitzer, who has faced much criticism on the issue, said the deal means New York "will usher in the most secure licensing system in the nation."
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said he was not happy that New York intended to issue IDs to illegal immigrants. But he said there was nothing he could do to stop it.
"I don't endorse giving licenses to people who are not here legally, but federal law does allow states to make that choice," Chertoff said.
New York will produce one ID that will be as secure as a passport and is intended for people who soon will need to meet such requirements, even for a short drive to Canada.
A second version of the license will meet new federal standards of the Real ID Act, a law designed to make it much harder for illegal immigrants or would-be terrorists to obtain licenses.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
This makes me want to get one of those. You have to produce so much documentation to get a NJ license....that NY one must be a breeze. I’ll show up, “mi nombre es Jorge Arbusto, mi necesite una licencia”
I disagree....there is always a tipping point, and I believe it is fast approaching.
Bush is an asshole.
You seem to know a bit.....”smarter than the average bear”. What is the latest on the County Clerks? If they disobey their master will they be sued, jailed, generally messed with?
I have noticed in the past year that the DUmmies are avoiding illegal immigration issues more and more. Most thread related to the issue garner fewer responses then....lets say, the numerous “Bush is evil ones”. Don’t want to reveal their true selves I suppose.
Spitzer has said he will issue this decree as an executive order.
GOP responds to Spitzer's change of plans
Tedisco failed to get his chamber to vote on the issue during last week's Special Session. He tells us there are still a lot of questions in the Governor's latest licensing plan.
"What you're doing Governor - is for people who are breaking the law, and are illegal - you're giving them a special privilege. On November first, if he can't answer these questions, we are going to have to sue the Governor for the protection and security of our constituents."
That was being done for a while with Polaroid Cameras but was stopped because of complaints made to local district attorneys about police officers taking photos of defendants for non photographable offenses. Defense attorneys complained that the taking of a photo constituted a mug shot which was in violation of the N.Y.S. Criminal Procedure Law.
Well, Spitzer said that under the law they are obligated to follow Executive Orders issued to the Department of Motor Vehicles - and that they will be dealt with. One of the clerks has instituted a legal suit.
Some other clerks (one of them a Democrat appointed by Spitzer) have said they will follow his orders but that they will report anyone they believe to be illegal, either to the local police or the Feds for deportation. They are currently having discussions with both these entities and are publicizing their intentions..
I think the Constitution lets the states decide who can vote, but I’m not a scholar.
I found this link. Apparently it’s up to the states or counties:
Then the NYS Criminal Procedure Law would be the law to change, eh? Rather than giving licenses regardless of citizenship status?
ping
Peace won by the compromise of principles is a short-lived achievement.
Author Unknown
Anybody who accepts mediocrity - in school, on the job,
in life - is a person who compromises,
and when the leader compromises,
the whole organization compromises.
Charles Knight
Many things are worse than defeat,
and compromise with evil is one of them.
Author Unknown
I'm speechless. What are they thinking....a tracking card for illegals? :-p
Thnx for the pings...
I hope you are correct.
Thanks for the ping. Thanks to all posters. Very interesting.
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