DC Mayor Proposes Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

By federal law, can't be the same kind legal residents get

Reason 24/7

While Washington tussles over a 844-page immigration reform bill, the municipal government in DC is trying to offer driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

From CBS Washington:

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has introduced a bill that would allow people living in the country illegally to get driver's licenses in the nation's capital.

The bill would create a two-tiered system of licenses. Immigrants who can't prove they are in the country legally would get licenses or identification cards that would not be valid for federal purposes such as boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings.

The mayor notes it would be against federal law to issue the same license to illegal immigrants as to legal residents and citizens, but some immigration advocates oppose the "second class" ID, preferring apparently for illegal immigrants to wait indefinitely.

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Comments

[Hugh Akston]

Wait, if illegal immigrants get drivers licenses, can the AP continue to call them undocumented guests or whatever?

[DJF]

Only when they are not in their cars

[Invisible Finger]

Who else is gonna pay for the privilege of driving a DC Cab?

Is he trying to get the illegal immigrant vote?

[Hugh Akston]

Are you calling Gary Busey an illegal immigrant?

[sarcasmic]

If they get licenses then will the also register and insure their vehicles?

[Zeb]

I think it's not a terrible idea, for the same reason I still think that illegal immigrants should be given federal tax IDs. It will reduce fraud and identity theft. Plus, for those who worry about immigrants getting government benefits, it will help to get some more money out of them.

[PapayaSF]

I think it's terrible, in part because "Motor Voter" means they will also be encouraged to register to vote.

[Calidissident]

I don't think a license is enough to (legally) register to vote. If it was, legal immigrants could register.

[thom]

Illegal immigrants are issued federal tax IDs when they file their taxes. It is called an ITIN. Millions of illegal immigrants pay an effective tax rate a lot higher than they should be paying, because they are having taxes withheld and are too scared to file for their refund.

[wareagle]

I am amazed by the vapidness of elected officials. Because no question people who "can't prove they are in the country legally" are going to present themselves to authorities. Just how stupid does one have to be to get elected DC Mayor?

[thom]

What does a person's immigration status have to do with their fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely in the District of Columbia?

[B.P.]

The same bill is working its way through the legislature in Colorado.

[Agammamon]

You know what I'd like to see? The government get out of the driver's license business altogether.

Let your damn insurance company license you - its not like the government hold anyone to a very high (or even to a low) standard when licensing anyway.

And, as a bonus, we don't have to listen to stupid partisan bickering over whether or not the government should license illegal immigrants.

[Austrian Anarchy]

The non-commercial vehicle operator's license is a curse given to the nation by New Jersey that has been spreading since 1913.