Thread: I.C.E. can use state's DMV databases to locate deportable aliens

AP NewsBreak: Lawsuit over immigrant license data

Created: 12/17/2014 2:53 PM WNYT.com
By: By AMY TAXIN

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Immigrant advocates filed a lawsuit Wednesday over concerns that federal immigration agents could use state driver's license databases to track down people for deportation.

The National Immigration Law Center sued the Department of Homeland Security demanding documents detailing how federal immigration agents access and use driver's license data.

The lawsuit comes after immigrant advocates in Maryland received reports that federal agents earlier this year arrested several immigrants with prior deportation orders after apparently identifying them with help from driver's license photo and vehicle information.

A message was left for the Department of Homeland Security seeking comment on the lawsuit, which aims to compel officials to release records under the Freedom of Information Act that were requested in April.

The lawsuit also comes about two weeks before California starts issuing driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. More than 1 million people are expected to apply over the next three years.

"We need to at least know what the current policy is," said Melissa Keaney, an attorney at the Los Angeles-based advocacy organization. "We don't want to cause unnecessary panic, but we don't want to cause a repeat of what happened in Maryland."

Ten states have approved driver's licenses for immigrants in the country illegally, many of them with a distinct marker so the documents can be distinguished from those carried by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Meanwhile, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday has moved thousands of young immigrants a step closer to obtaining driver's licenses in Arizona.

In California, advocates have long raised concerns about privacy protections for immigrants applying for the new licenses, fearing the information could be used by law enforcement agencies that have access to driver data for investigative purposes.

The Center argues more information is needed about how immigration enforcement agents use driver data to dispel any concerns that might discourage immigrants from applying for driver's licenses.

A message was left for California's Department of Motor Vehicles seeking comment.

After the Maryland arrests, state officials there told immigrant advocates that federal immigration officials can query the database by name but can't execute a bulk download, said Elizabeth Alex, lead organizer for CASA de Maryland.

Alex said she was surprised to learn of the arrests after Maryland resumed issuing driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

"We started getting a lot of questions from people saying, 'Is it safe?''', she said, adding that the group has been encouraging immigrants with a deportation record to seek legal advice before applying for a license.

http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S3652674.shtml?cat=300

Want a license?

SURE. NO PROBLEM.
Give us your name.
DOB?, Eye color, Height, Weight?
Write your address here.
Get your picture taken over there.
Give us your thumbprint right here.

Now when we get all of their thumbprints lets run them through the F.B.I. database, the I.C.E. database, INTERPOL database, etc.

Why shouldn't the feds have access to driver's licenses issued to illegal aliens? What's the problem with that? Using state driver's licenses to track down criminals, same as state vehicle registrations, has, is and will continue to be a major tracking device for all criminals, why should illegal aliens be exempt from what any American criminal is subjected to?

December 18, 2014 12:15 pm



LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Immigrant advocates filed a lawsuit Wednesday over concerns that federal immigration agents could use state driver's license databases to track down people for deportation.

The National Immigration Law Center sued the Department of Homeland Security demanding documents detailing how federal immigration agents access and use driver's license data.

The lawsuit comes after immigrant advocates in Maryland received reports that federal agents earlier this year arrested several immigrants with prior deportation orders after apparently identifying them with help from a driver's license photo and vehicle information.

It also comes about two weeks before California starts issuing driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally. More than 1 million people are expected to apply over the next three years.

"We need to at least know what the current policy is," said Melissa Keaney, an attorney at the Los Angeles-based advocacy organization. "We don't want to cause unnecessary panic, but we don't want to cause a repeat of what happened in Maryland."

The lawsuit aims to compel Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release records under the Freedom of Information Act that were requested in April.

ICE declined to comment on the suit. The agency does not use driver databases to identify immigration enforcement targets but "like other law enforcement agencies, ICE may use DMV data in support of ongoing criminal investigations or to aid in locating individuals who pose a national security risk or public safety threat," said Gillian Christensen, an agency spokeswoman.

Ten states have approved driver's licenses for immigrants in the country illegally, many of them with a distinct marker so the documents can be distinguished from those carried by U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Meanwhile, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday has moved thousands of young immigrants a step closer to obtaining driver's licenses in Arizona.

In California, advocates have long raised concerns about privacy protections for immigrants applying for the new licenses, fearing the information could be used by law enforcement agencies that have access to driver data for investigative purposes.

The Center argues more information is needed about how immigration enforcement agents use driver data to dispel any concerns that might discourage immigrants from applying for driver's licenses.

A message was left for California's Department of Motor Vehicles seeking comment.

After the Maryland arrests, state officials there told immigrant advocates that federal immigration officials can query the database by name but can't execute a bulk download, said Elizabeth Alex, lead organizer for CASA de Maryland.

Alex said she was surprised to learn of the arrests after Maryland resumed issuing driver's licenses to immigrants in the country illegally.

"We started getting a lot of questions from people saying, `Is it safe?'", she said, adding that the group has been encouraging immigrants with a deportation record to seek legal advice before applying for a license.

http://www.gopusa.com/news/2014/12/1...-license-data/

Anything that might possibly result in action against an illegal is grounds for an organization to file a lawsuit. Yikes.
***************************
Americans first in this magnificent country

American jobs for American workers

Fair trade, not free trade

ILLEGAL ALIENS GET WARNING ON DRIVER'S LICENSES


http://www.alipac.us/f12/illegal-aliens-get-warning-drivers-licenses-316338/

1/8/15

Vermont DMV collaborating with ICE

4/29/2015

Utah to send illegal alien drivers' fingerprints to F.B.I. database

http://www.alipac.us/f12/utah-send-i...tabase-319128/

Obama immigration plan blocked by 4-4 tie at Supreme Court

Time to sell out, pack up and go home to your relatives back in Mexico.

An undocumented was on National TV, in person, and said "what are you going to do with us all".

How about what are YOU going to do with your criminal self? Time to think about your future in YOUR country...because your days are numbered. His mother dumped him over the border 20 years ago. He hasn't seen her in 20 years. Go HOME, go back to mommy! Go make a life for yourself in your country.

No papers...no entry...no rights.

And why isn't someone apprehended this POS after the show and deporting him?