EDITORIAL
Cox ruling will keep illegal aliens from getting licenses
The Oakland Press


Attorney General Mike Cox has ruled that illegal immigrants can no longer get a driver's license. We applaud the Michigan attorney general for his actions, which clarifies provisions of seemingly conflicting state laws.
Advertisement


Michigan laws have long prohibited the secretary of state from issuing driver's licenses to nonresidents. Cox said it's inconsistent to regard an illegal immigrant as a permanent resident of Michigan, although admittedly the illegals would sure like to be.

"There can be no doubt that a rational basis exists for denying driver's licenses to illegal aliens," Cox has said.

We agree, and we're not alone.

Shortly after Cox made his ruling public, U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, a Harrison Township Republican and a former Michigan secretary of state, praised the legal opinion.

"Attorney General Cox's opinion is long overdue and is welcome," Miller said. "Stopping the issuing of driver licenses and state ID cards to illegal aliens will greatly assist our national efforts to secure our borders, as well as dissuade illegals from coming to Michigan for their identification documents."

Whether illegal immigrants should get licenses has become a major political issue, as noted in recent reports from The Associated Press.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, but he ended up withdrawing the plan after intense opposition.

In an earlier statement, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said the Spitzer proposal "makes a lot of sense" and then added, "I did not say that it should be done."

She later said she is opposed to issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

We don't see the driver's license issue as a threat to national security, as some have implied.

We doubt terrorism would be prevented simply because someone can't obtain a driver's license.

And yes, the overall problem of illegal aliens must be dealt with on a national level. Somehow, our porous borders must be strengthened and that can only occur with our politicians in Washington despite that fact that the issue is clearly critical to the health of our nation and not just a "political football."

It is much more than that. Just from a health care standpoint, no hospital can refuse treatment to an individual, whether they are a citizen or an illegal alien. And, of course, it's U.S. taxpayers who pay for that person's health care.

Our health care costs are outrageous enough without forcing those of us who try to do the right thing and pay our bills to fork over extra premium dollars to cover illegal immigrants.

Yes, there are millions of illegals in the U.S., but that doesn't mean they should be given amnesty and made citizens. They need to become citizens through proper channels and if it means deporting those who are here illegally, so be it.

It took decades for the current problem to develop and it may can decades to resolve, but it can be resolved and only when our leaders in Washington decide to do "what's best for the country" and not "what's best for them."

Yes, national action is needed, but that said, it is important to establish standards that dictate persons in this country abide by our laws.

Falsifying documents to obtain a driver's license should not be ignored.

And states with guidelines over the rules to obtain a license should ensure there are no conflicting provisions.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/ ... 2200.shtml