Thread: NY: Spitzer critics question license verification

Spitzer critics question license verification
BY MELISSA MANSFIELD

melissa.mansfield@newsday.com

October 25, 2007

ALBANY - Republican opponents of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants spoke out yesterday after a newspaper report said the state was having problems with the security technology for the policy change.

A story in the Times Union of Albany said that counterfeit documents have made it through scanning devices at the Department of Motor Vehicles and that a news conference scheduled for yesterday to showcase the technology had been canceled because of these failures.

Spitzer's office said last night that neither allegation is true.

"Document scanning technology and photo comparison/facial recognition technology is used in close to half the states in the country. It is proven to be successful in identifying fraudulent documents and preventing identity theft," said spokeswoman Jennifer Givner. "Based on this we have good reason to be confident in the integrity of the anti-fraud measures we are implementing."

She also said the event was canceled because the governor had a scheduling conflict.

Critics of the plan voiced their concerns yesterday about the latest development in the controversial measure, which is opposed by 72 percent of New Yorkers, polls show.

"I, along with others, have repeatedly been questioning the verification process that is the backbone of Governor Spitzer's plan and, unfortunately, our doubts are being realized," said Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport). "On a policy change this important, this system of verification should have been thoroughly examined before any changes were proposed and certainly well before the state is only six weeks from handing licenses to those who are in our country illegally."

The governor plans on instituting the new policy in December.

Flanagan said he hopes the setback allows for more discussion on the proposal, which would allow applicants to get a driver's license or a nondriver's identification card without providing a Social Security number.

"It is clearly time to slow down. It is time to allow the public to have its say and to bring this debate into the light of day," he said.

Flanagan sponsored legislation during Monday's special Senate session that would require proof of citizenship or legal residency in order to obtain a license.

Q&A

Complying with federal standard

While Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to grant driver's licences to undocumented immigrants has drawn criticism from state and local officials, the federal Homeland Security Department has not raised objections. That's because it says the plan would not interfere with the federal Real ID Act of 2005, which requires states to issue tamperproof licenses to legal residents.

Under that law, states may also issue noncomplying licenses, so long as these have a unique design and a clear statement that says they will not be accepted for federal identification. But homeland security officials are looking at whether the plan might interfere with enforcement of immigration laws.



So the state would have to issue two kinds of driver's licenses?

Yes, under Spitzer's proposal, which is scheduled to take effect in December, the state will issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, which would give them the right to drive legally. That license will look different than licenses that comply with Real ID and would not be accepted by federal authorities, for instance, to board federally regulated commercial aircraft or to enter a federal building.



Why can't undocumented immigrants get a regular driver's license?

Because to get a Real ID-compliant driver's license, you must prove you are in this country legally, that you have a Social Security number and that you are who you say you are.



What is the Real ID Act?

Intended to make the country less vulnerable to terrorism by making it harder to counterfeit identification, the law sets national standards for state-issued identification, including driver's licenses. It was passed after the 9/11 Commission recommended that Congress make identification documents less prone to forgery.



When will that happen?

It was originally slated to take effect in May of next year, but the deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2009, because the federal government has yet to issue final regulations. The changes are supposed to be completed by 2013.



Will the two licenses look different?

Yes, the driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants will clearly state they are not acceptable for federal identification purposes and use a unique design or color.



What makes the Real ID less likely to be counterfeited?

The final regulations have yet to be issued, but proposed rules include elements such as special card stocks, printing methods and laser engraving of tactile features to prevent a photographic overlay.



How do they differ?

Three key areas of distinction between Gov. Eliot Spitzer's immigrant drive license plan and the federal Real ID Act, scheduled to go into effect in May.

REQUIREMENTS

SPITZER PLAN

No Social Security requirement, but applicant must present a valid foreign passport and swear that he or she is ineligible for Social Security number.

REAL ID PLAN

Photo ID or nonphoto ID that includes full name and bithdate.

Social Security number or proof that person is ineligible for a number

PURPOSE

SPITZER PLAN

Motor vehicle operation only.

REAL ID PLAN

Vehicle operation and/or valid identification to enter federal buildings board an airplane and more.

WHAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE

SPITZER PLAN

Recognized design that clearly identifies holder as noncompliant with federal ID standards. Effectively, state will have two districts types of cards.

REAL ID PLAN

39 characters for full name; also, address, gender, date of birth and signature.

SOURCES: New York Governor's Office; Department of Homeland Security

Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state ... rint.story

This is convenient timing. New York's Primary Election is scheduled for Feb 5, 2008. This will provide time for the illegals to register to vote.

If this comes to fruition, the clerk issuing the driver's license could provide the voter registrars with a list of those who take the illegal license.

I say we set up ICE officers at N.Y. DMV offices.