Thread: MD - Panel backs denying license to illegal immigrants

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) A Maryland Senate committee is backing an effort to deny licenses and state ID cards to people who can't prove they are legally in the country.

The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee voted late Wednesday to advance the bill to the Senate floor.

Maryland is one of just 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 state-issued identification gives police broader databases to use when investigating crimes and increases the rate of auto insurance coverage. Hawaii, New Mexico and Washington also issue licenses to residents regardless of immigration status.

http://wjz.com/marylandwire/22.0.html?t ... ntLice.xml

They need to do something fast because I heard alot of illegals invading North Carolina are going to Maryland to get their licenses renewed ever since NC cracked down.

If our country would enforce our immigration laws we would not have the problems we now have, etc.

Think about all the money we, Americans, have spent on these undocumented illegal immigrants. And they get licenses, have no insurance, and drive and drive down our roads.

What a MESS

Md. House panel backs immigrant license compromise

By Kathleen Miller | The Associated Press
9:57 PM EDT, March 26, 2009

Illegal immigrants would be ineligible for new Maryland licenses, but those who already have them could continue to renew their identification, under a compromise bill endorsed by a House of Delegates committee Thursday.

The House Judiciary Committee plan would take effect April 19 and would ultimately result in the state issuing different ID cards for people who are able to prove they're lawfully present in the country and those who cannot but already had licenses.

Prince George's County Del. Victor Ramirez said it was a "good compromise." Ramirez and others have argued that allowing undocumented residents access to licenses makes the state safer for all, by increasing the rate of auto insurance coverage and giving police a broader database to use when investigating crimes.

"We have to be practical," Ramirez said. "It sends a message that if you're here in Maryland we want you to stay, while the federal government decides what they're going to do with immigration reform."

There was bipartisan support for the measure, which was ultimately endorsed by 18 of 21 delegates on the committee, as state leaders scramble to comply with the federal REAL ID law requiring states to strengthen their identification documents.

Maryland has met some REAL ID benchmarks, but four remain unfulfilled because the state doesn't check applicants' residency status, according to Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration chief John Kuo. When the law is implemented, the federal government will only accept these new ID cards for activities like boarding airline flights and entering federal buildings.

Gov. Martin O'Malley and Maryland transportation officials endorsed a proposal last month to stop giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. An O'Malley spokesman said Thursday the governor sees the compromise as "another step in the process for Maryland to become REAL ID compliant."

"He looks forward to working with the General Assembly to make sure Maryland is no longer the only state on the East Coast where undocumented persons can get driver's licenses," spokesman Rick Abbruzzese said.

Maryland is one of just four states -- along with Hawaii, Washington and New Mexico -- 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.

The House compromise measure is at odds with a bill endorsed by a Senate committee and scheduled for debate there that would require people prove they are legally in the country before they can receive any Maryland identification. Both chambers would need to agree on legislation before it can go to O'Malley for his signature.

Del. Ron George, R-Anne Arundel, who sought to end Maryland's policy of issuing state identification to illegal immigrants, said the compromise bill was "technically a two-tier system."

"It's going to still allow people that are unlawfully present to drive with a Maryland driver's license because they can continue to renew it," George said, "although that number will get smaller over time."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/ ... 9406.story