Updated: 56 minutes ago
Md. House committee backs license compromiseThe
7:18 PM EDT, March 26, 2009


A Maryland House committee is backing a compromise agreement that would deny new licenses to illegal immigrants starting April 19, but allow undocumented residents that already have state ID to renew their cards.

The House Judiciary Committee voted Thursday afternoon on the plan, which would result in the state ultimately issuing two separate forms of identification.

Maryland is one of four states where people don't have to prove they're legal U.S. residents to get driver's licenses. Some lawmakers say Maryland's rules make it a target for fraud by undocumented people from all over the U.S.

Others argue that allowing illegal immigrants to get identification gives police broader databases to use when investigating crimes and increases the rate of auto insurance coverage.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/polit ... 8256.story