Thread: Proposal for immigrant licenses advances

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... /1001/NEWS


State Govt.
Proposal for immigrant licenses advances

By JONATHAN ROOS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
February 25, 2005

A proposal to make driver's licenses available to illegal immigrants working in Iowa if they provide certain documents has gained a toehold in the Legislature.

Legislation discussed Thursday by members of the Senate Transportation Committee would allow an immigrant to get a license if the person has a valid passport, federal tax identification number and birth certificate.

"I think we ought to send out a welcoming message," said Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines, who offered Senate Study Bill 1171.

He said it's a public safety issue to have people licensed to drive and in position to get car insurance, rather than having them on the road with no license and insurance.

McCoy is the Senate committee's Democratic co-chairman.

Republican Co-Chairman John Putney of Gladbrook said he was willing to have a debate of the issue as well, although he noted that many lawmakers will have objections to the idea.

Putney raised concerns that McCoy's plan would add to the state's licensing expenses because of extra document checks. He also worried that it could lead to voter registration abuses.

The next step for the bill is consideration by the entire Senate Transportation Committee.

Miguel Munoz, a Des Moines auto mechanic and a member of a faith-based group with 23 member churches that supports the legislation, said all Iowans would benefit "because it's about safety. It's not about giving privileges to the immigrants."

Critics contend that granting driver's licenses to undocumented people poses a security risk and rewards an illegal act.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week that people who are in the country illegally have no constitutional right to a driver's license.

The ruling said Iowa's license requirements are in place so that "governmental machinery" is not "a facilitator for the concealment of illegal aliens." But justices also said the issue should be decided by the Legislature.

The decision was a defeat for a Hispanic couple from Des Moines who challenged the state's refusal to allow them to take license tests.

Ten states, including Wisconsin, permit driver's licenses for immigrants in the country illegally.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs. ... /1001/NEWS


State Govt.
Proposal for immigrant licenses advances

By JONATHAN ROOS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
February 25, 2005

A proposal to make driver's licenses available to illegal immigrants working in Iowa if they provide certain documents has gained a toehold in the Legislature.

Legislation discussed Thursday by members of the Senate Transportation Committee would allow an immigrant to get a license if the person has a valid passport, federal tax identification number and birth certificate.

"I think we ought to send out a welcoming message," said Sen. Matt McCoy of Des Moines, who offered Senate Study Bill 1171.

He said it's a public safety issue to have people licensed to drive and in position to get car insurance, rather than having them on the road with no license and insurance.

McCoy is the Senate committee's Democratic co-chairman.

Republican Co-Chairman John Putney of Gladbrook said he was willing to have a debate of the issue as well, although he noted that many lawmakers will have objections to the idea.

Putney raised concerns that McCoy's plan would add to the state's licensing expenses because of extra document checks. He also worried that it could lead to voter registration abuses.

The next step for the bill is consideration by the entire Senate Transportation Committee.

Miguel Munoz, a Des Moines auto mechanic and a member of a faith-based group with 23 member churches that supports the legislation, said all Iowans would benefit "because it's about safety. It's not about giving privileges to the immigrants."

Critics contend that granting driver's licenses to undocumented people poses a security risk and rewards an illegal act.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week that people who are in the country illegally have no constitutional right to a driver's license.

The ruling said Iowa's license requirements are in place so that "governmental machinery" is not "a facilitator for the concealment of illegal aliens." But justices also said the issue should be decided by the Legislature.

The decision was a defeat for a Hispanic couple from Des Moines who challenged the state's refusal to allow them to take license tests.

Ten states, including Wisconsin, permit driver's licenses for immigrants in the country illegally.