Thread: Some drivers forgoing license

And these criminals should be allowed amnesty or citizenship, when even now they have no respect for our laws?


http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centreda ... 266576.htm

Some drivers forgoing license
Rule change aims to deny illegal immigrants permit, but doesn't take them off roads
DÁNICA COTO
dcoto@charlotteobserver.com

Almost four months after a new law went into effect, a growing number of illegal immigrants in North Carolina are choosing to drive without a license or are finding creative alternatives, according to interviews with advocacy groups and more than a dozen immigrants.

Beginning last August, people had to present a Social Security number or a valid visa to receive a license. In the past, someone could show a federal tax ID number, which is easier to obtain. Most illegal immigrants relied on this document.

More than 176,000 drivers had valid licenses obtained with a tax ID number at the beginning of this month. A majority of them are thought to be illegal immigrants. Every month, a portion of those licenses are expiring.

"We'll live a life based on traffic tickets," said Anselmo, a 29-year-old Concord resident. "That's the only way to keep driving."

The man, who didn't want his last name used, said his N.C. license expires next year. He still plans to carry it, along with his Mexican license.

Critics of the new law say illegal immigrants won't have access to a driver's license manual or other materials to help them become better drivers.

"That is a point in their favor. I'll concede that," said Rep. Cary Allred, R-Alamance, a sponsor of the law. "But we don't want to be the easiest place in the nation for an illegal immigrant to obtain a driver's license."

Law enforcement agencies reported people coming into North Carolina by the busloads to obtain a license, he said.

This year, fewer people are trying to use a tax ID number to renew their license, said Tex Kidd, who supervises eight DMV offices in Mecklenburg, Gaston and Lincoln.

"Word of mouth," she said, "spreads faster in an immigrant community."

As licenses obtained with a tax ID number expire, some illegal immigrants are considering traveling to other states.

Anselmo said he and several friends were planning a trip to Washington state to apply for a driver's license, because requirements there aren't as strict. But they dismissed the idea once Anselmo charted the route; it was too far, he said.

René, a 34-year-old from Mooresville, said he almost went to New York to get a driver's license.

Last month, DMV officials wouldn't renew his license when he tried to use a federal tax ID number.

"I'm going to investigate in which states I can get a driver's license," he said, "even if they're on the other side of the country."

More than six states, including Nebraska, Illinois, Oregon and New York, have approved or are considering laws that would create "driving certificates" for those here illegally, according to the National Immigration Law Center. But legislators in at least four states, including Georgia, have killed proposals to allow such certificates.

At South Piedmont Community College in Anson and Union counties, several immigrant students have called Terri Stralow, coordinator of the English as a Second Language program, asking for help.

One student who couldn't renew her license said she had to pick up her daughter at school and get her baby vaccinated, Stralow said.

Another drove to Oregon to obtain his driver's license, she said.

A third, who's a pastor, stopped transporting unlicensed people to his church because his license had expired, she added.

Opening for scams

Many illegal immigrants are losing money in scams run by lawyers or public notaries who claim they can get a license without going through DMV, said Axel Lluch, director of the N.C. Governor's Office of Hispanic and Latino Affairs, as he answered questions during a recent talk show on the government channel.Only the DMV can issue licenses, he told callers, and an international license is not valid in the U.S.

Drivers who move here from another state or country have 60 days to obtain an N.C. license, said Edward Rios, a driver license examiner, who also was on the show.

Several immigrants who called into the program asked whether they needed a driver's license to get insurance. They worried they would lose their cars.

N.C. insurance companies don't require customers to present their driver's license, said Chrissy Pearson, spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Insurance. If someone cancels his or her insurance, though, the DMV is notified and officials will seize that person's tags, she said.

Some illegal immigrants affected by the new law are seeing it as a business opportunity.

When Carlos Mendoza began noticing clusters of people every morning in Macon County in Western North Carolina, he asked what they were doing. Waiting for a ride, many replied, explaining they couldn't renew their licenses.

So Mendoza, whose license hasn't yet expired, started an informal taxi service. He drives people to work, church, the doctor's office and sometimes even the airport for a fee. Two other women have started a similar service, he said.

Many immigrants still opt to drive without a license, however, and try to drive less, he said.

"They go to work, they come back and they lock themselves in," Mendoza said. "It's changed a lot around here. You don't see anybody on the weekends anymore."

Dánica Coto: 704-358-5065

How many people have used a federal tax ID number to obtain a license?

Year Originals Renewals Total 2003 63,273 10,653 73,926 2005 20,524 14,364 34,888 2006*9,843 9,889 19,732*through Aug. 27
Source: N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles

"They go to work, they come back and they lock themselves in," Mendoza said. "It's changed a lot around here. You don't see anybody on the weekends anymore."

Good! I'm glad illegals are getting more and more scared to come out in the open.
They will drive without a liscense anyway and continue to do so regardless of whatever laws are in place.

Last month, DMV officials wouldn't renew his license when he tried to use a federal tax ID number.

IMO this is GOOD, it's GREAT. For every action, there's a reaction, such as driving wo a lic. or insurance. If you don't have a lic. can you get lic. plates ? What ever road block is put up, illegals will try to find a way around it. The problem of unlicensed drivers will get worse.

This state should take advantage of training the police to question, arrest, and detain illegal caught wo a license. Use 287 - g training for the state patrol and key sheriff offices. This will exponentially expand the number of law enforcement personnel enpowered to ENFORCE immigration law. At least then, unlicensed drivers can be aressted and deported for driving wo a license.

I had to jump through hoops to get my PA driver license when we moved here from Virginia. Stop the insanitiy

Originally Posted by steelerbabe

I had to jump through hoops to get my PA driver license when we moved here from Virginia. Stop the insanitiy

The insanity of you jumping through hoops or the insanity of illegals NOT jumping through hoops ?

How does the BMV "really" know who you are ? Perhaps they need a little information for their files ?