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The Business Journal of Phoenix - 2:44 PM MST Tuesday
Governor avoids driver's license-citizenship controversy
Mike Sunnucks
The Business Journal
Gov. Janet Napolitano is steering clear of the tenuous issue of whether the state should grant driver's license to illegal immigrants.

Napolitano, in 2003, voiced support for a proposal that would allow illegal immigrants to get state driver's licenses.

Now, the Democratic governor is staying away from the issue, declining to take stand on the matter or a proposal but forward by state Rep. Ben Miranda, D-Phoenix, that would allow illegals to get licenses.

The Miranda plan lifts a state provision that require driver's license applicant be U.S. citizens or legally in the country and requires only proof of Arizona residency and that they have been in the country for at least three years.

Spokeswoman Pati Urias said the governor's office does not comment on pending legislation and Napolitano is focusing her immigration efforts on other matters and not the driver's license issue.

Napolitano has taken a new, get-tough approach to illegal immigration and border security, backing sanctions against employers who hire illegals and asking the Bush administration to pay for the state to send National Guard troops to the Mexican border.

The governor also has a $100 million border security package in her budget, and she supports a federal guest worker program to document immigrants wishing to work in the U.S.

The driver's license for illegals issue has cut across partisan lines on a national basis.

Advocates, such as Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (a Republican) and U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., have backed giving licenses to illegals, arguing it will help them learn traffic laws and get auto insurance.

Opponents -- including conservative Republicans as well as U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. -- do not think illegal immigrants should be able to get licenses, citing worries about national security . They believe driver's permits should only be available to those legally in the U.S. Driver's licenses are also used to board airplanes and by businesses to verify employee information.

Republicans criticized Napolitano in 2003 and 2004 for supporting licenses for undocumented immigrants and they are hitting her now for not taking a public stand on the issue.

"This is a perfect example of the Napolitano flip-flop. She wants to sound tough in front of TV cameras, but when it comes to enacting common-sense ideas that will fight illegal immigration, Janet Napolitano is a no-show," said Nathan Sproul, a consultant working with Len Munsil's gubernatorial campaign.

Munsil is among a number of GOP candidates challenging Napolitano in this year's elections.

Napolitano has put a big focus on border security and illegal immigration this year, which could help cement her re-election efforts. However, business interests are opposed to employer sanctions and some Hispanics and liberals do not like National Guard troops at the border. Republicans are also quick to point out the governor previously did not support sending state troops to the Mexican border. GOP critics also contend the governor's $100 million border plan does not contain enough specific funding for increased enforcement and security efforts.