A law that makes it easier for immigrants to get driver's licenses appears doomed, with even some of its former supporters calling for it to go.
Two proposals to overhaul requirements for Tennessee licenses have been introduced to the legislature within the past several weeks. A third, to repeal the license law, has been in the works for months.
Gov. Don Sundquist — who signed the law — met with legislators this week to talk about alternatives. Meanwhile, immigrant advocates have been meeting with state officials to work out a compromise short of a full repeal. Next week in Washington, Wendell Gilbert, Tennessee's head of homeland security, is taking up the matter with national Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, who has already cautioned states about what might be too-lax license requirements.
''In light of 9/11 and some other things, we may need to take another look at the law,'' said Rep. Mike Turner, D-Nashville, the law's author and most vocal proponent. ''We're looking at what we can do now that will protect the citizens of Tennessee from terrorism as well as bad drivers.''
National security concerns have persuaded many of the law's former supporters to reconsider. Many of the state's immigrant advocates, however, say the law as it stands makes Tennessee roads safer without jeopardizing national security. No known terrorist has possessed a Tennessee driver's license, they say, and a mysterious case in Memphis involving Middle Eastern immigrants illegally buying driver's licenses — and the violent death of a state worker who sold them — was not a result of the current law.
''Repealing the bill would have a major effect on public safety and would mean thousands of drivers on the road, driving illegally,'' said David Lubell, a community outreach coordinator for Latino Memphis Connection.
The law that went into effect last May allows people without Social Security numbers to apply for driver's licenses.
Last year, the law drew a diverse group of supporters, including the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the League of United Latin American Citizens, among others.
Those groups said they wanted to make sure that Tennessee streets and highways were safe. Drivers who could not get a license also could not get insurance and were not required to understand the rules of the road, they said.
Opposition to the bill began immediately after it went into effect, at first prompted by long lines at driver's license testing offices across the state. Critics said the looser requirements meant that thousands of illegal immigrants — many arriving from out of state — were able to use Tennessee driver's licenses as a route to establishing forged U.S. resident identities.
Then anti-terrorism concerns after Sept. 11 renewed scrutiny of driver's license laws nationally, as well as in Tennessee, and local supporters began having second thoughts.
''Last year we thought what they were doing was a good thing,'' said Rhedona Rose, director of public affairs for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. The federation supported the law because ''we didn't want farmers caught in a void of having someone work for them who could not get a driver's license.''
''Obviously, a lot's changed since then, and we're kind of at the will of seeing what's happening nationally and seeing what our state officials are planning,'' Rose said.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Brentwood, has been a longtime foe of the license law and is leading the charge to change it.
''At the time, I said it was bad public policy, and I still believe it is,'' Blackburn said. ''The events that transpired in the fall and winter make that even more clear. Now there's a greater awareness of the extreme importance to the public that we know who is presenting themselves and asking for a state ID.''
Blackburn has proposed two laws. The first is a full repeal of last year's bill. That plan has drawn support from some of the legislators who voted in favor of last year's law.
The second is considered a compromise bill with a stronger chance of getting votes. That bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Donna Rowland, R-Murfreesboro, sets out a long list of documents that would be required to obtain a license. Noncitizens would have to provide immigration papers or an identification or license from another state to obtain a license. Canadians would be excepted.
A third bill would require all state agencies — not only the Department of Safety — to report anyone to immigration officials who is seeking services without a Social Security card.
While one of that bill's sponsors, Sen. Larry Trail, D-Murfreesboro, has said he is shelving it, co-sponsor Ben West, D-Nashville, said he was still talking with constituents to see whether there was support for a modified version.
Sundquist, who last summer said he would stand by the law, also may be changing his mind.
''Currently we are still reviewing the law and reviewing any possible change to that law,'' said Sean Williams, a spokesman for Sundquist.
''Homeland security is the administration's top priority right now, and we want to find some sort of law that balances homeland security issues while ensuring that those who are driving on Tennessee roads know the rules of the road.''