Thread: Md:Brinkley fights for license bill

Illegal immigration: Brinkley fights for license bill
Originally published March 28, 2008


By Meg Bernhardt
News-Post Staff

Illegal immigration: Brinkley fights for license bill

Courtesy Photo


Brinkley

Gladhill Furniture

ANNAPOLIS -- Sen. David Brinkley won't let his bill that requires driver's license applicants prove they are in the country legally die quietly.

The Republican minority leader is attempting to override the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee chairman's decision not to hold a vote on his bill by circulating a petition to bring it up for a vote.

So far, he has 14 signatures, all Republican, and needs two more, according to the Senate rules.

The bill has been controversial among those from Frederick, with Sheriff Chuck Jenkins testifying in favor of it and local immigrants and activists opposing it.

Brinkley, who represents Frederick and Carroll counties, said it is absurd that Maryland is one of only five states that does not require proof of legal residency when issuing identification cards and licenses.

"It's an important policy decision that I think every senator needs to vote on, as to whether or not the state of Maryland assures anyone getting a legal document show legal presence," he said.

Under Senate rules, a bill must have been introduced in the first 30 days of session and sit in a committee for 20 days in order to be eligible for petition. Brinkley said his bill meets those standards.

Because the bill has four Democratic sponsors, Brinkley hopes he can get their signatures. It's possible they will not sign on, however.

"I don't know," Brinkley said. "It depends on how strong the controls are for the majority political party."

The Democratic sponsors are: James Brochin, Katherine Klausmeier and Norman Stone, all representing Baltimore County, and Roy Dyson representing Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties.

Immigration activists have complained about legislation in this year's session of the General Assembly that attacks immigrants. But for the most part, those measures have been unsuccessful.

Local immigrants argued at a rally in Annapolis earlier this year that issuing licenses to every driver on the road would be safer than forcing some to drive without them.

When Maryland complies with the federal REAL ID program, the Motor Vehicle Administration will require proof of legal residency, but that is several years away.

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, and requires all states to follow certain standards or their state-issued identification will not be enough for residents to enter federal buildings or fly on airlines.

Maryland has an extension for compliance until 2010, but Brinkley thinks the state ought to start checking for legal residency now.

The state Department of Legislative Services has concluded that if Maryland stays on track with its REAL ID compliance goals, some residents would be able to hold licenses until 2017 without proving lawful presence because the requirement would begin during the license renewal process.

Republican Sen. Alex Mooney, who represents Frederick and Washington counties and is a member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, believes there are enough votes on the committee to give the bill a favorable report and send it to a full vote.

But Chairman Brian Frosh, a Democrat representing Montgomery County, has declined to bring it up for a vote.

Mooney is a co-sponsor on the bill and believes it represents a larger issue. He said it highlights the problems with federal immigration policy, including employment, border enforcement and free education for all children in the U.S., including illegal immigrants.

He hopes Brinkley can find more senators to sign the petition.

"I think most citizens of Maryland would assume that every bill at least gets voted upon yes or no, that one individual doesn't have the right to kill a bill all by (him or her)self," Mooney said.

http://tinyurl.com/365u7c

Local immigrants argued at a rally in Annapolis earlier this year that issuing licenses to every driver on the road would be safer than forcing some to drive without them.

Typical of these activists and their followersto threaten to break the law because it doesn't suit them and therefore the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee shouldn't give these people the time of day. They will though because they're probably part of the invasion conspiracy.

The bill has been controversial among those from Frederick, with Sheriff Chuck Jenkins testifying in favor of it and local immigrants and activists opposing it

Local "immigrants' oppose this bill. Are these local "immigrants" legal or illegal?

Originally Posted by NoBueno

The bill has been controversial among those from Frederick, with Sheriff Chuck Jenkins testifying in favor of it and local immigrants and activists opposing it

Local "immigrants' oppose this bill. Are these local "immigrants" legal or illegal?

I don't think "legal" immigrants have to worry about their licenses

Local immigrants argued at a rally in Annapolis earlier this year that issuing licenses to every driver on the road would be safer than forcing some to drive without them.

FORCING THEM to drive without driver's licenses................
never their fault.................the entire point is to prevent them from driving..........