Saturday, November 21, 2009

After the Texas Department of Public Safety estimated 2 million of its 16 million licensed drivers are illegal aliens, the state is denying illegals access to IDs and driver's licenses.

Texas is now requiring applicants to prove legal citizenship status before they can receive or renew their driver's licenses. And the plan goes one step further: Legal immigrants are now required to have their licenses stamped with "temporary visitor" and an expiration date for the applicants stay in the U.S. – a tip-off for police.

Public Safety Commission Chairman Allan Polunsky of San Antonio told the Houston Chronicle he came up with the idea after learning that a Dallas cab driver was transporting illegal aliens into the state so they could receive driver's licenses. Polunsky was disturbed by how effortless the process was for illegals.

Gov. Rick Perry said the move will make Texas more secure.

"Texas is a great place to live and work, and while we welcome legally documented individuals to the Lone Star State, we must ensure that this privilege is not abused by those seeking to enter our country illegally," he said.

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Immigrants will not be allowed to obtain driver's licenses if their legal stay expires in less than six months, and those with indefinite stays will be required to provide proof of legal status yearly to renew the document, according to the Chronicle.

Texas now requires documents issued by the Department of Justice, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Naturalization Service or Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services for proof of lawful status. The state has deemed border crossing cards unacceptable.

Director Jim Harrington of the Texas Civil Rights Project told the Chronicle the idea won't work, because illegal aliens will drive even without licenses, and the policy could cause more problems.

"People have to drive to get to work," he said. "You want people to get (auto) insurance. They can't get insurance if they don't have a driver's license."

In Texas, approximately 27 percent of all drivers are currently operating vehicles without insurance. Harrington said he disagrees with DPS' estimate of 2 million uninsured illegals in the state.

"That's nonsense," he said. "I don't think anybody has any idea."

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