House Ok's Bill Requiring Proof Of Citizenship For Licenses
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House OKs bill requiring proof of citizenship to get licenses
After narrow vote, it moves to the House Budget Committee
BY NIKI SULLIVAN
The Associated Press
May 24, 2005
A bill aimed at barring illegal immigrants from getting Oregon driver's licenses was narrowly approved by a House panel Monday.
The measure, which now goes to the House Budget Committee, would require proof of citizenship or legal residence to obtain a license and is meant to comply with a White House-backed bill passed by Congress this month.
The federal measure says states must require proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a Social Security number, or other evidence of legal residence to get a license.
States, which have three years to comply, are allowed to give special driving permits to people without proof of legal residence, but the documents wouldn't be accepted as identification by airport authorities or other federal agencies.
The bill, which was passed 4-3 by the Oregon House Transportation Committee, would prohibit illegal immigrants from obtaining driving privileges. Some committee members objected because they wanted to provide driving cards to people without proof of citizenship.
Critics have argued that the federal law and the House bill would not stop illegal immigrants from driving; it only would force them to drive without a license or insurance. Also, opponents say, the rules would hurt the agriculture industry, which depends on migrant workers for temporary labor.
Supporters of the bill say it would help keep terrorists from obtaining licenses, which then can be used to obtain other documents and board airplanes.
Rep. George Gilman, R-Medford, said he favored the bill because he thought it had a better chance of passing the House and it brought the state into compliance with the federal law early.
Terry Beyer, D-Springfield, voted against the bill, saying she thought it would "drive a problem a little deeper underground as opposed to solving one."
