Thread: WI-A card allowing illegal immigrants to drive legally just

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION <|> Dealing with reality <|> A card allowing illegal immigrants to drive legally just makes sense both in regard to fairness and to safety.

O. RICARDO PIMENTEL
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin)
June 18, 2009 Thursday

There are items in this state budget bill deserving of some measure of outrage. But a card that will allow undocumented immigrants to drive legally wasn't among them. At least not for the reasons typically given.

The measure, proposed by Rep. Pedro Colón (D-Milwaukee), was in the budget bill approved by the Assembly last week but apparently has been removed by the state Senate this week. True, it should have been introduced as a stand-alone bill, because it is policy masquerading as budgeting. But, in this bill, it is as alone in this regard as is an ant in an anthill.

In fact, the measure has merit. It was not about sanctioning illegal immigration. It simply dealt with reality. Such workers are here. They mostly work - at jobs most others won't do. And many are driving to get to those jobs.

It is better that the state have some measure of assurance that these drivers know the rules of the road, something they will have to demonstrate to get the driving cards. Those who cannot provide proof of legal residency can produce a tax ID to get the card.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 established national standards for state-issued driver's licenses. The states have objected to this mandate both because of cost and fairness. But, under the act, people whose states do not follow these standards at some point will not be able to use their licenses to board airplanes and enter federal buildings, though the states' revolt does cloud the measure's future under the Obama administration and a Congress controlled by Democrats.

REAL ID, however, did offer states an alternative: certificates allowing folks to drive, easily distinguished from standard licenses.

Colón's measure didn't give an immigrant any benefit, state or federal, now denied that person because he or she lacks legal residency status. Why would people with a card that flags their undocumented status use it to get benefits denied them?

They're here, and they're going to keep driving to work. In the absence of long overdue, comprehensive immigration reform, making sure they do it as safely as possible and with better access to auto insurance is a worthy goal. When the Assembly and Senate reconcile their different budgets, this measure, along with another that would have provided in-state tuition to illegal immigrant students, should be restored.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 63&start=4

Just as we expected. This is their fallback plan.

W

What did I tell you, W.??? And... the Dems are going to meet in public (behind closed doors over the weekend to finalize the bill -- without Republican input they don't need)... So the committee won't even be formed (don't expect it)....

Yep ....

Wisconsins process.

Senate and Assembly versions of a bill differ significantly.
The bill may then be sent to a Conference Committee where the differences could be worked out. A conference committee usually consists of three members from each house appointed because of their special interest in that particular bill. Bills returned from a conference committee must be voted up or down.
They may not be amended.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/assembly/A ... bl2003.pdf

What we know is that the Dems are the majority in both branches so the Conference Committee will be loaded with Democrats, maybe two token Republicans, probably one from each branch but I doubt it.

Dixie

I'm VERY worried.... do we have any "cards up ALIPAC's sleeve"?

Some Democratic politicians realize that rank and file members do not like this sort of law favoring illegal aliens in any way manner or form either. There is no safety in an illegal alien drivers license bill as the illegal aliens who know how to drive well do not get better and those who do not know how to drive who are driving keep driving anyway.