No drivers' licenses for illegals [Dems' ideas: NO; Jeb's ideas: YES] (from St. Pete Times)

St. Petersburg Times ^ | May 3, 2002 | Editors

[summer]

A Times Editorial

No drivers' licenses for illegals

© St. Petersburg Times
published May 3, 2002

Democratic state Rep. Bob Henriquez of Tampa says the tighter procedures adopted by the state driver's license bureau Sept. 11 are disadvantaging Hispanics in his district, particularly undocumented workers. He says the state might want to consider providing a special driver's license to people here illegally. Come again?

While we understand that many Hispanics here illegally are contributing to the state's economy by working hard for little pay -- picking produce on farms, washing dishes in restaurants and making beds in hotels -- the state should not be legitimizing this often exploitative underground economy. The millions of people who live in this country illegally should not be rewarded for jumping the line. They have come here in violation of immigration rules that others from their country who wish to emigrate are patiently following.

Even before the nation went on a terrorism alert after the Sept. 11 attacks, the state was taking actions to ensure that driver's license applicants were legal residents and were the person they said they were. Bob Sanchez, spokesman for the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, says the state had already been moving toward a tighter screening process to address identity theft.

Henriquez has a point when he complains that documented immigrants are sometimes finding it difficult to prove their legal status. The more vigilant the DHSMV is in checking and verifying documentation, the more likely people with odd situations will have a hassle. Some legal immigrants, for example, only have a court order granting them political asylum and don't have the typical green card. Sanchez says the department will grant non-citizens a 30-day temporary license while it double-checks their paperwork. He said new scanning devices will help expedite the process.

As for Henriquez's other concern -- the inability of illegal immigrants to get a driver's license -- he should forget it.

[Jennifer in Florida]

Here is an idea to help stop voter fraud: Put on the driver's license whether the person is a CITIZEN or not. The we can stop the use of drivers licenses by non-citizens in getting voter registration.

That is an excellent idea!

[Twodees]

I bleeve yo mind's a'comin to you now....;-)

[summer]

Thanks for your posts here, skr. And, I agree: a most interesting situation...

[summer]

Re your post #22 - I think the paper does support Gov. Bush on this issue, even if this editorial won't come right out and say it. This editorial strongly opposes drivers licenses for illegals. So does Gov. Bush. Consequently, how do these two positions differ on the main question?

[floriduh voter]

I have to go run errands and can't ping my list. But, if this passes, everybody better be thinking about increasing your "uninsured motorist" limits on the auto policy. They will still be driving on the sly, but will be driving without licenses & insurance.

The good news is that if they don't have a license, THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE UNDER THE MOTOR VOTER LAW. There goes Algor's chances if he tries again. BTTT and let's keep this bumped.

[floriduh voter]

Janet is running a one issue campaign: GAY ADOPTION. She's got no other positions. Rosie O' Donnell wants to buy her very own governor the way she buys children.

[MeekOneGOP]

Somehow, I think that Jeb will do alright. Surely, Florida
voters have enough sense to see clear differences in these two?
I sure hope so, anyway...........

[mafree]

Bump- GO JEB!!