Diffusion of responsibility (passing the buck)!

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... 5/-1/ENT06

Group makes no decision on immigrant driving issue
The task force says more study is needed on whether people in Iowa illegally should be given privileges.


REGISTER STAFF WRITER

January 4, 2007
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The hot-potato issue of whether there should be driving privileges in Iowa for immigrants who can't get licensed under current law because they entered the country illegally is being tossed back into the laps of state legislators.

A task force created by Gov. Tom Vilsack called Wednesday for more study of the issue, including the potential recognition of consular identification cards issued by Mexico to its citizens in the United States as a valid form of identification.

The group heard from a representative of the Mexican consulate in Omaha on the use of that country's "matricula consular identification card."

The panel considered the idea of establishing a "certificate of driving" in Iowa as a substitute for a driver's license for "undocumented persons." But the group, mindful that anything Iowa might do could be superseded by the federal government, decided against recommending a course of action.

"You're kind of stuck between a rock and hard place," said Mark Grey, a University of Northern Iowa professor who heads the Iowa Center for Immigrant Leadership and Integration.

"My advice is for you to hedge your bets and let Congress figure this out by the end of summer," Grey told the panel.

Some task force members vented their frustrations. "The federal government has got to change immigration laws," said Sen. Dave Mulder, a Sioux Center Republican.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, an Iowa City Democrat, said he sees merit in recognizing the Mexican consular card as an accepted form of identification in Iowa for Mexican citizens living or working in the state, regardless of their immigration status.

Bolkcom, one of 18 members of the New Iowans Policy Task Force, predicted that several bills will be introduced on the topic during the 2007 legislative session that starts Monday.

Supporters of licensing alternatives for illegal immigrants say it is a matter of public safety to have people licensed to drive and in a position to get car insurance.

Critics contend that granting driving privileges to undocumented people poses a security risk and rewards the illegal act of entering the United States without permission.

Rep. Wayne Ford, a Des Moines Democrat who plans to reintroduce driver ID legislation benefitting immigrants, said the national attention Iowa receives from the 2008 presidential caucuses will give the issue added importance.

Lawmakers have wrestled with the issue before.

A bill that would have paved the way for undocumented people to get driver's licenses died in the Senate Transportation Committee during the 2005 legislative session.

A study committee subsequently created by legislative leaders to look at immigration issues recommended that the governor establish a task force.

Reporter Jonathan Roos can be reached at (515) 284-8443 or jroos@dmreg.com