November 1, 2007
Senator Clinton: Illegals Should Have Licenses
We know that there was a license scam in RI and now a similar one has been uncovered in Massachusetts (and other states).
Typically, the “license rings” operate in similar ways: corrupt registry clerks work with middlemen, who sell the licenses to illegal immigrants, criminals, and others looking to cover their identities.Yikes. Despite all of that, NY Governor Elliot Spitzer has decided to allow illegal immigrants to legally obtain NY driver's licenses. Yeah, that's a good idea. And Democratic Presidential front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton--who earlier couldn't decide if she agreed with Spitzer's plan or not--is now "steadying herself" (ie; getting her story straight):The driver’s licenses are perfect “breeder” documents for establishing a false identity, one that can allow the license holder to buy guns, launder money, open bank accounts, and board a plane. Four years ago, the FBI’s assistant director of counterterrorism testified before a House committee about how the licenses are used by terrorists to escape detection.
"Senator Clinton supports governors like Governor Spitzer who believe they need such a measure to deal with the crisis caused by this administration's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform," her campaign said in a statement. "As president, her goal will be to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would make this unnecessary."Wait a sec: didn't "this administration" want comprehensive immigration reform? It's disingenuous for Senator Clinton to blame President Bush for failing to pass a "comprehensive immigration reform" package that she agreed with but that the Democratic Senate and House couldn't pass. Ah, whatever. True to form, when things are down, blame Bush. It's easy and doesn't take much thought. Maybe the rubes won't notice.
I love Spitzer's plan. Basically they will give illegal aliens a card that tells the police they're illegals. Then the cops can toss them in the back of the cruiser, take them to the station, and call immigration.
Has anyone heard if insurance companies have signed on to the plan to give illegal aliens coverage?
Posted by: Greg at November 1, 2007 10:12 AMSo Senator Clinton has basically now come out against allowing "undocumented" immigrants to become documented.
I hope Republican strategists are able to use this to point out the absurdity of the whole undocumented vs. illegal semantic debate.
Posted by: Andrew at November 1, 2007 10:54 AMAnybody got a link to a balanced description of the Spitzer plan?
I have heard that the plan will involve giving illegals a different type of license (as suggested above by Greg) so that it will be fairly obvious to anyone looking at the license that the driver is an illegal. This distinction, I understand, will make it very unlikely that anyone will actually apply for these new licenses (which makes the whole controversy pretty foolish, it would seem).
Posted by: brassband at November 1, 2007 11:51 AMOoops. Just realized that I got the Senator's position backeards. She's in favor of the licenses, and thus giving "undocumented" immigrants doucments, and thus ending the public policy quandry!
Posted by: Andrew at November 1, 2007 6:52 PMThis is great news. Now if we can get her on record supporting free education for illegals we may have a shot if properly exploited. This makes middle America (think Ohio, Penn., Michigan, Minn., Missouri) MAD as hell.
Posted by: Mike at November 1, 2007 8:50 PM--This is great news. Now if we can get her on record supporting free education for illegals we may have a shot if properly exploited. This makes middle America (think Ohio, Penn., Michigan, Minn., Missouri) MAD as hell.
Let's not forget the "Dream Act" to give illegals in-state tuition - a better deal that American citizens get.
Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at November 1, 2007 9:57 PMBrassband, below is the description from the AP story of the three proposed New York licenses. Greg is correct; the third license is solely for illegal aliens. Spitzer's three-tier license "compromise" with Homeland Security has accordingly been viewed by advocates of illegal aliens as a major cave on this issue.
"Under the compromise, New York will produce an "enhanced driver's license" that will be as secure as a passport. It is intended for people who soon will need to meet such ID requirements, even for a short drive to Canada.
A second version of the license will meet new federal standards of the Real ID Act. That law is designed to make it much harder for illegal immigrants or would-be terrorists to obtain licenses.
A third type of license will be available to undocumented immigrants. Spitzer has said this ID will make the state more secure by bringing those people "out of the shadows" and into American society, and will lower auto insurance rates."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/WireStory?id=3784526&page=2