Nov. 1, 2007

Illegal Immigrant License Debate Heats Up

Hillary Clinton's Comments Spur Debate Over New York State And National Policy

  • Play CBS Video Video Battle Over Immigrant I.D.s

    New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses is stirring up bitter controversy. Even Congress has jumped into the fray. Byron Pitts reports.

  • Video Hillary Clinton's Challenge

    Jeff Greenfield speaks with Katie Couric about Hillary Clinton's stumble in the debate and the potential minefield around restricted records in the National Archives.

  • Video Clinton Stumbles At Debate

    Hillary Clinton made her first stumble in the Democratic presidential debate, accused of taking two different positions on the issue of drivers' licenses for immigrants. Jim Axelrod reports.

  • Photo Essay Hillary Rodham Clinton

    The Democratic Senator from New York and former first lady sets her sights on the White House.

  • Interactive Immigration And Naturalization

    Who's coming to America? Find out what's being done to screen for terrorists and take a citizenship quiz.

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

The question of whether or not illegal immigrants should have access to driver's licenses has stayed under the radar for most of the 2008 presidential campaign.

But that changed Tuesday night, when Sen. Hillary Clinton made vague comments at a Democratic presidential debate about whether or not she supports New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer's driver’s license proposal. Clinton's rivals quickly criticized her for what they characterized as a refusal to take a position on the issue.

Spitzer's revised plan calls for a system in which three licenses will be available to New York residents. One type of license, which would be available to legal residents, would conform to the Real ID Act of 2005, a controversial federal standard designed to tighten homeland security by making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to get state driver's licenses. This license would be sufficient identification for residents who want to fly domestically. Critics, among them the ACLU, contend that compliance with the Act "would turn state driver's licenses into a national ID card." Fourteen states have refused to comply over potential cost and privacy implications.

A second type of license would allow residents to cross the border between Canada and the United States without a passport. The third, which would be available to illegal immigrants, would be used solely for driving and identification, and would allow those who hold it to get auto insurance.

After the debate, the Clinton campaign issued a statement on the Spitzer plan, which did not put to rest questions about her position on it.

"Senator Clinton supports governors like Governor Spitzer who believe they need such a measure to deal with the crisis caused by this administration's failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform," the statement said. "As President, her goal will be to pass comprehensive immigration reform that would make this unnecessary."

A number of states have implemented plans that allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Critics charge that such policies create a security risk and encourage illegal immigrants to come to America.

"The public feels illegal aliens should receive no benefits from the government," William Gheen of the Americans for Legal Immigration PAC said in an interview with CBS News. "Licenses, in state tuition, anything short of emergency medical care will only attract more illegal aliens."

But supporters of such legislation say it's a mistake not to document illegal immigrants.

"This is a really bad issue to have a substantive disagreement on," said Muzaffar Chishti of the Migration Policy Institute’s office at the New York University law school. "Every expert out there thinks it's a good idea to give driver's licenses to the undocumented."

Chishti said it is important to have data on everyone in the country, undocumented or otherwise, for security reasons. "The pragmatic response is to have them in a database," he said.

Spitzer's compromise plan, worked out in concert with the Department of Homeland Security after an earlier plan to grant a single type of license to both legal residents and illegal immigrants met with opposition, has been criticized from both sides.

The Spitzer plan "is potentially the worst of all possibilities," said Chishti. "He's telling the undocumented 'we're going to give you a driver's license, but it will clearly say this is not for federal purposes. It will indicate to anyone who looks at it that you are not here legally.'" Chishti said illegal immigrants "will be very, very reticent" to apply for such a document.

A debate over this issue arose four years ago in the state of California, when then-Governor Grey Davis signed legislation allowing illegal immigrants to get licenses. Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigned on his opposition to the legislation, and after Davis was recalled, and Schwarzenegger became governor, it was repealed.

Five of Clinton's six opponents at the Democratic debate say they support states issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. After Clinton seemed to back Spitzer's proposal, Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd, who does not support the policy, said the "idea that we're going to extend this privilege here of a driver's license, I think, is troublesome."

Clinton responded that "I did not say that it should be done, but I certainly recognize why Gov. Spitzer is trying to do it." The comment prompted John Edwards to charge that "Sen. Clinton said two different things in the course of about two minutes." Sen. Barack Obama said he "was confused on Sen. Clinton's answer" and "can't tell whether she was for it or against it."

The Republican presidential hopefuls, most of whom have taken a hard line on illegal immigration, also criticized Clinton over the comments. A spokesman for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney characterized the former first lady as being "dismissive of efforts to enforce our nation's immigration laws and entirely unwilling to offer a straight answer to a very direct question."

Illegal immigration can be a tough issue for presidential candidates from both parties. Many Republican primary voters favor tightening the U.S. borders, and the GOP hopefuls have tried to look tough on the question of giving rights to undocumented residents. Democrats have largely backed giving legal status to undocumented workers, but have sometimes differed on issues of enforcement. Both parties are wary of alienating Latino voters, who represent a sizable and rapidly growing voting bloc.

"All the questions you have seen in the [Democratic] debate are dealing with enforcement," said Chishti. "And that's where you are beginning to see fudging."

By Brian Montopoli
©MMVII, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Add a Comment See all 254 Comments
by oldprophet November 1, 2007 5:53 PM PDT
I agree with Dr. Paul about the issue of illegal immigration. The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. Ron Paul has a plan: (1.) Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals. (2.) Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas. (3.) No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That''s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws. (4.) No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules, but taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services. (5.) End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. (6.) Pass true immigration reform. The current system, and those proposed by ALL other candidates, is incoherent and unfair, and would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country.
Reply to this comment
by lorinkundert November 1, 2007 5:54 PM PDT
Anyone including officials who do anything at all to aid an illegal alien is guilty of a felony, period.
Reply to this comment
by lorinkundert November 1, 2007 5:54 PM PDT
Anyone including officials who do anything at all to aid an illegal alien is guilty of a felony, period.
Reply to this comment
by vastr-wcon November 1, 2007 5:56 PM PDT

.
Chris Dodd said some very good things during the last debate. He was impressive. His statement that a driving license is a "right" for citizens - and NOT ILLEGAL CRIMINALS - is right-on. At the other end, Conniving Calculating Cackling Clinton did her usual evasions of direct answers to any substantive question, and showed that she will speak out of both sides of her mouth simultaneously, on anything. On the issue of a license for illegals, she is, as usual, confused, at best, and wrong, at least. The Dems can do much better than Conniving, and I hope they do so.

.
Reply to this comment
by kaelinda November 1, 2007 6:12 PM PDT
Why couldn''t Clinton say right out loud in front of God and everybody that she is for or against providing services (drivers'' licenses, automobile insurance, welfare, housing, education, medical care, etc.) to illegal immigrants, no matter what nation they come from? Why couldn''t she say right out loud in front of God and everybody what she plans to do, as president, to halt illegal immigration and give America back to her citizens? Sigh. She just lost my vote.
Reply to this comment
by likeitis5050 November 1, 2007 7:27 PM PDT
Why couldn''''t Clinton say right out loud in front of God and everybody that she is for or against providing services (drivers'''' licenses, automobile insurance, welfare, housing, education, medical care, etc.) to illegal immigrants...

Because she is a coward. Because she''s running her entire campaign on the ''I''m just a girl'' platform..''don''t be mean to me and ask me the same questions voters demand answers on from the big, mean men...I''m just a girl...and we haven''t had a girl as president...I wanna be president!!!''. She can''t balance her own checkbook, but she''s qualified to be president because......tick tick...she isn''t!!!!

She is a disgrace to women who have sacraficed to be treated equally by the men who hold the reins. She is sickening in her ''they''re ganging up on me...that''s not fair.'' And the bottom line is she IS in favor of amnesty. She will support eliminating identification to cast a vote...no proof of anything...not even a photo ID. She IS in favor of giving illegal immigrants full access to what we have now and all the government programs she intends to create the day after she is sworn in...she is just too much of coward and a liar to come out now. She thinks this is a popularity contest and she''s about to be crowned Homecoming Queen. Get her the he11 out of this race NOW!!! We are ready for a woman president...a WOMAN...not some trick and pony act who thinks she can win on...well I don''t know where her charm lies...she''s not the woman for the job.
Reply to this comment
by oldprophet November 1, 2007 7:40 PM PDT
I agree with Dr. Paul about the issue of illegal immigration. The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. Ron Paul has a plan: (1.) Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals. (2.) Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas. (3.) No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That''s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws. (4.) No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules, but taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services. (5.) End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. (6.) Pass true immigration reform. The current system, and those proposed by ALL other candidates, is incoherent and unfair, and would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 7:42 PM PDT
If she would just anwser the questions and tell the truth she would be a lot more likeable.
Reply to this comment
by tburzio November 1, 2007 7:51 PM PDT
Why haven''t we been attacked? Why should they attack, the Democrats are retreating faster then they can catch up!
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 7:57 PM PDT
Me I smell a MELT now.
Reply to this comment
by chucktruck2 November 1, 2007 7:59 PM PDT
A vote for Rudy is a vote for Hillary. Rudy can not win.They are both for :proabortion,progay ,antigun,antifamily,and they are on the wrong side of the fence. Mitt is [ prolife no flop ] and has always been for[ marriage between a man and a woman no flip ]. " Evangelicals for Mitt " .Romney is leading in today''s South Carolina polls.Mitt''s perfect storm is forming on the horizon.The line is being drawn in the sand . Pick a side..... He is now leading in the polls :S.C. , Iowa , N.H. , Mich. , Nevada , ...Will we be called the ununitable? Are we sheep being led by the MSM ?
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 8:09 PM PDT
stonebog...

SMILING...you really one wierid duck.
Reply to this comment
by sendreidpelo November 1, 2007 8:21 PM PDT
Who still wants to vote for this little cuckolded shrew who ranted about a "vast right wing conspiracy" while her bubba was having a bimbo s*ck on his Johnson - because she was too ugly, too obnoxious and too much of idiot to figure out otherwise.

When this ''*** decides to go to Camp Victory and truly support the troops; when she figures out what Lorena Bobbitt was all about, when she defends American citizens over those who trample our borders and our laws, then she''s maybe worth a listening too.

Until then, this classless ''ho should shut the bleep up. And go back to baking cookies.

Even Gennifer Flowers and Paula Corbin Jones have more moxy and more guts than she does - as for brains, they''re all on a par together. The Bimbos and the Law School Grad.
Reply to this comment
by sendreidpelo November 1, 2007 8:29 PM PDT
likeitis,

bravo - simply bravo.

This piece of manure thinks she deserves to be President because she suffered all these years with the Redneck Coward and Pervert she CHOSE to ride in with. She knew how to rant her lie about "vast right wing conspiracy", then smiled smugly when Bubba poked his finger at the camera and told us to "listen" - then when the truth came out, coward that she is, this piece of work stayed with him.

Pray tell me any self-respecting woman who''d stay with a husband who already had a reputation for being a pervert and a woman abuser? And yet, do we Americans, not the moveon clowns want someone like this to confront an Ahmedinejedad? We saw how Bubba dealt with Bin Laden - 30 days of B-52 strikes on the Serbs and one lousy missile strike on empty camps of our REAL ENEMY.

This is what this plump little obnoxious shrew brings to the table - besides the usual Left moddycuddlying of ILLEGAL aliens. A political ''ho - and one without character, scruples or moral fibre. A piece of Sh*t.

We vote for another Clinton - the one who can''t understand a Lorena Bobbitt - now that''s moxy - at our own peril.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 8:30 PM PDT
Maybe Bill does what he does cause he is married to a control freak...but I do feel nor care what either one of them does just stay out of my breathing space.
Reply to this comment
by chucktruck2 November 1, 2007 8:36 PM PDT
Mitt Romney will respect Hillary . Mitt will only attack on issues. The debate will be won in the details.Mitt believes that the voter can hear a forked tongue. Mitt is the best and he will be good for America.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 8:46 PM PDT
Mitt Romney will respect Hillary
chucktruck2..

He respects everyone even when questions get hard and close to home...he STILL answers.
Reply to this comment
by lilathe November 1, 2007 9:14 PM PDT
You do realize that with drivers licenses, illegal alien invaders can legally buy guns don''t you?
You do realize that with drivers licenses, illegal alien invaders can vote don''t you?
You do realize that with drivers licenses, illegal alien invaders can sit on a jury don''t you?
I would imagine that with drivers licenses, illegal alien invaders could even get a job on the police force.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 9:17 PM PDT
You do realize that with drivers licenses, illegal alien invaders can vote don''''t you?
lilathe ..

Exactly thats why Hillary commits.......no she did not...no yes she did....lol
Reply to this comment
by jowand November 1, 2007 9:21 PM PDT
Terrorist will get the drivers licenses too.
Reply to this comment
by likeitis5050 November 1, 2007 9:21 PM PDT
jonesforch it is not in her tell the truth. Her shady partnerships and dodging of questions every single candidate has to answer is all part of the Hillary hilarity. It''s one thing to have changed on an issue before entering a race...she can''t find solid ground DURING THE RACE. Yet she intends to run a campaign based on two simple facts: she is a woman and she stayed with serial womanizer. Big wooooo. She and Bill do not have a marriage...they have a corporation. She stayed with him to further her career in politics...which worked...it still doesn''t make her qualified to run a Quick Trip, and he stands to benefit if she wins....two for the price of one...believe that. She intends to ''balance and restore'' by heaping govenment program upon government program...bigger and more controlling government. With that in place, who in their right mind is going to be able to with stand withdrawl when re-election rolls around. In the same way welfare enslaves the poor, she intends to enslave the working class. And the rich are, by no means, off limits to her. Tell me again what is the incentive to build personal wealth which trickles down to feed everyone if your personal wealth is taxed into nothingness. You''ll be hitched to the gravy train right along with the illegals and there goes any chance of real free enterprise...Hillary wins. She is toxic.
Reply to this comment
by obiwan234 November 1, 2007 9:27 PM PDT
Hillary can suck the life out of a room.

What is it that the vapid Congress & Senators don''t understand about Illegal. Build the Da mn wall catch and release in Mexico all of the living siphons on our society. It the Boarder Patrol, ICE and Law Enforcement in general really wants to round these crooks up all they''d have to do is visit the the parks and soccer fields on Sunday mornings.

When I was a cop, we arrested 10 Mexicans, 9 of them were illegal and we couldn''t do anything about it. Then we''d arrest them again in a few days, and again.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 9:38 PM PDT
obiwan234
Hillary can suck the life out of a room.

lol..on lighter note maybe she did and still is doing that...that is why she is whining...


Reply to this comment
by ontheleft November 1, 2007 9:41 PM PDT
You republicans are kidding yourselves if you think republican politicians are actually going to deport the illegals. The illegals aren''t going anywhere so get used to it. Thank the pro-business lobby (which are mostly republican) for the problem.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 9:42 PM PDT
obiwan234
Then we''''d arrest them again in a few days, and again.

My son is training to be a cop and right on. They teach them this.
Reply to this comment
by usayesterday November 1, 2007 9:48 PM PDT
What I call common sense... many open-border advocates will accuse as being racist! But......


...rewarding illegal actions with benefits that legal immigrants and naturalized citizens enjoy...

...then what the helll is the incentive to immigrate to the U.S. through the legal process?
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 9:50 PM PDT
ontheleft

Thank the pro-business lobby (which are mostly republican) for the problem.

Not in my state they are not...all are dems..they give out apples free cases and cases to the eldeler....oh and the homeless..but they also give all canned goods that are OUT of date and produce they can not use.
Reply to this comment
by likeitis5050 November 1, 2007 10:02 PM PDT
ontheleft you are absolutely right!! The illegals found a home here because they were provided all the comforts of the American dream without having to pay a dime for it....and it''s the businesses who chartered the raid, helped by government assisted programs and churches who gave sanctuary. But if the Dems have their way...it will never end. It''s all worthy of a clean sweep across the board, but the real amnesty will come in giving all those who fostered this mess a ''get out of jail'' pass.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 10:06 PM PDT
but they also give all canned goods that are OUT of date and produce they can not use.

jonesforch


How do I know this?.....Hmm I work and watch...lot of people watch but never see. Lot of people see BUT never watch.
Reply to this comment
by oldprophet November 1, 2007 10:06 PM PDT
I agree with Ron Paul about the issue of illegal immigration. The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. Ron Paul has a plan: (1.) Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals. (2.) Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas. (3.) No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That''s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws. (4.) No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules, but taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services. (5.) End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. (6.) Pass true immigration reform. The current system, and those proposed by ALL other candidates, is incoherent and unfair, and would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country. Vote for Ron Paul.
Reply to this comment
by jonesforch November 1, 2007 10:14 PM PDT
but they also give all canned goods that are OUT of date and produce they can not use.

jonesforch


How do I know this?.....Hmm I work and watch...lot of people watch but never see. Lot of people see BUT never watch.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jonesforch at 10:06 PM : Nov 01, 2007
Get over Ron Paul..he is what I call a wildcard. Trying to make a difference..but alas he does not get the money that Ms. Hillary does.....so Ron sorry not my vote Hillary not.
Reply to this comment
by bhappy2-2 November 1, 2007 10:25 PM PDT
Why do we allow OUR elected officials to continue to commit TREASON by rewarding these ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS? These are nothing but CRIMINALS who should be rounded up and deported or shot. We should be placing our National Guard along the border with orders to SHOOT TO KILL. When one of these ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS is discovered they should be DEPORTED or PUT TO DEATH immediately. We, the citizens of The United States of America, ARE TIRED of OUR elected officials committing TREASON for ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS. WE MUST FIGHT BACK NOW!
Reply to this comment
by sharncedar November 1, 2007 10:32 PM PDT
"Every expert out there thinks it''s a good idea to give driver''s licenses to the undocumented."


Nice. That''s how the media checks its facts and gives an unbiased report. "Every expert agrees". Nice. I guess if you don''t support the life-stealing scum thieves from dirt-land then you are not an expert.

Our government has been stolen from us by illegal loving ghouls. Our rights are taken, our self-determination ripped from us by the Larry Craig illegal loving bathroom ***** in Washington.

Stand up. Rise up. We''re not going to take it anymore. Someone is going to have Hell to pay for this, let''s start with Eliot Spitzer. Spit him out.
Reply to this comment
by sharncedar November 1, 2007 10:38 PM PDT
A wall is a stupid mistake. The talk of a wall is to distract from the real problem, which is employers of these thieves. 50% of dirt-people are employed by individuals, that means they are the slaves and chattel of rich people, working on their yards or raising their filthy, arrogant children. Such as George F. Bush was raised by a dirt-mother.

The corruption is so deep and so thick, we are going to have to burn it out. We are going to have to fight this war, we didn''t ask for it, but they cannot continue to spit in the face of America, to pizz on our flag, to wipe their dirty rear ends on the faces of our children.

We will fight, this is not going to stand. Eliot Spitzer will learn a bitter lesson here.
Reply to this comment
by scully152 November 1, 2007 11:28 PM PDT
I don''t mind immigrants so long as they are here legally. I agree a wall is a stupid idea but something needs to be done.
Reply to this comment
by rondok1 November 1, 2007 11:49 PM PDT
Illegal means ''Against the law"
What is there a debate about?????
If we violate our own law and give a license to drive to illegal aliens ,then why bother having a drivers license at all.
Let''s all just do what we want until there is nothing left to the entire system.....
Reply to this comment
by oldprophet November 2, 2007 12:15 AM PDT
I agree with Ron Paul about the issue of illegal immigration. The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. Ron Paul has a plan: (1.) Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals. (2.) Enforce visa rules. Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas. (3.) No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That''s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws. (4.) No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules, but taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services. (5.) End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. (6.) Pass true immigration reform. The current system, and those proposed by ALL other candidates, is incoherent and unfair, and would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country. Vote for Ron Paul.
Reply to this comment
by tnt1954 November 2, 2007 12:40 AM PDT
i volunteered at the oceanside, ca police dept.
for a short while getting traffic tickets ready
for the judges. so many people just buff the license, dont even have one. there were 100''s
of people driving around who never got one, or
had a suspended license. there is not really
that much compliance with government edicts.
so, really this is ridiculous. like illegals
are gonna come in and get licensed? and pigs fly?
they''re already scofflaws. they have their own
laws. they expect americans to obey theirs. see.
Reply to this comment
by rohink-2009 November 2, 2007 12:44 AM PDT
This is a really bad issue to have a substantive disagreement on," said Muzaffar Chishti of the Migration Policy Institute%u2019s office at the New York University law school. "Every expert out there thinks it''s a good idea to give driver''s licenses to the undocumented."
~~~~~~~~~~

Every expert? Please, exactly what are they an expert on? The politicians that support this just want the illegals vote. Democrats like their public dumb and dependent. And if people can''t see that, they are a part of that group.
Reply to this comment
by Scooter68 November 2, 2007 12:55 AM PDT
It''s difficult to decide who would be displaying the most stupidity in the NY drivers license plan. 1) An illegal immigrant who openly admits before a state official (driver license bureau personnel) or 2) A state official who grants a drivers license to a person who admits to being an illegal immigrant. Does the governor of NY have a plan for preventing any federal offical or state/city police officer from using a drivers license as a means to identifying an illegal alien?
Bottom line - states issuing illegal aliens drivers license is nothing less than blatantly ignoring federal immigration laws. They are stating that it doesn''t matter to us that a person is here illegally, we just want to "help" them be safe. States should put their energies into forcing congress to pass reasonable laws to deal with illegal immigrants.

Tell you what - NY go ahead an start issuing drivers licenses to illegal aliens. That way when raids are made on plants employing illegal aliens, or when they run afoul of the law with a federal agent, they can be clearly and immediately identified as illegal aliens and the courts can speed up the proceed of deportation - After all that license will be a documented statement that the individual has admitted to being here illegally - Deport now!
Reply to this comment
by spqr_us November 2, 2007 1:01 AM PDT
Muzaffar Chishti of the Terrorist Migration Policy Institute%u2019s office at the New York University law school. "Every expert out there thinks it''s a good idea to give driver''s licenses to the undocumented."

Gee Muzy...I guess 72% of New Yorkers, Shifty Pander Bear Chertoff and 80% of the rest of the country''s population aren''t experts...

Oh well Muzy where are these experts most security experts like the New York State Sheriff''s Association actually voted against this plan and sent that message this week to the Pranicing Prince Spitzer. Where do they find people like you is CBS that inept and corrupt as they need to look less informed on an issue or more in favor of open borders?
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 November 2, 2007 1:49 AM PDT
I don''t mind immigrants so long as they are here legally. I agree a wall is a stupid idea but something needs to be done.
Posted by scully152

Why don''t all you people who want to do something about illegal immigration boycott all produce from the USA? Sure, if it''s an apple from Washington or an Orange from Florida, well then, you can be sure some illegal picked it. So, stop supporting these illegals!!! Everytime you buy a bunch of grapes, a head of lettuce, a potato, an onion, an apple or an orange, you are supporting illegals. Time to boycott!! Start to buy only the produce shipped from Chile, Australia, Panama, but not Mexico, since they don''t support your attempts to build a wall. It''s time to do something and you have the power to do it everytime you walk into the supermarket.
Reply to this comment
by jetranger7 November 2, 2007 2:17 AM PDT
Well as far as the FRUIT Picking comment goes below, Just so everybody knows, a lot of your Grocery Distribution Warehouses use services to unload the Truckers who haul that produce into those distribution centers warehouses, they use whats known as LUMPER SERVICES, mostly Illegals they put on the docks to unload the semi''s, forcing the tired long haul trucker to either pay them or unload the load himself after his long run, which is Illegal by DOT Laws !! So, we need to clamp down on the Grocery Warehouse Chains to, and get Customs and INS Officials to start raiding these places and taking the Executives to jail, problem is, these illegals don''t actually work for the chain, they work for a service that has a contract with the chain, thats the loop hole, but it needs stopped !!!
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 November 2, 2007 3:10 AM PDT
So, we need to clamp down on the Grocery Warehouse Chains to, and get Customs and INS Officials to start raiding these places and taking the Executives to jail, problem is, these illegals don''''t actually work for the chain, they work for a service that has a contract with the chain, thats the loop hole, but it needs stopped !!!
Posted by JetRanger7

Clamp down??? Just stop buying the bloody produce if you care that much. It''s as simple as that! Let''s all start tomorrow. Oh, and don''t buy any of that con-agra or banquet chicken, cause they have all been processed by illegals. Nope, just by cans of good Argentine beef!
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by grammawhamma November 2, 2007 4:00 AM PDT
"The third, which would be available to illegal immigrants, would be used solely for driving and identification, and would allow those who hold it to get auto insurance."

Oh yeah...that makes sense. Since they are already here illegally do they really want to be "identified" as an illegal? Since they are already illegal and already illegally driving without a license...what makes anyone think they want to pay for car insurance?
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by grammawhamma November 2, 2007 4:16 AM PDT
Why don''''t all you people who want to do something about illegal immigration boycott all produce from the USA? Sure, if it''''s an apple from Washington or an Orange from Florida, well then, you can be sure some illegal picked it. So, stop supporting these illegals!!! Everytime you buy a bunch of grapes, a head of lettuce, a potato, an onion, an apple or an orange, you are supporting illegals. Time to boycott!! Start to buy only the produce shipped from Chile, Australia, Panama, but not Mexico, since they don''''t support your attempts to build a wall. It''''s time to do something and you have the power to do it everytime you walk into the supermarket.


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Posted by rudy654 at 01:49 AM : Nov 02, 2007

Well rudy...if the illegals all got deported tomorrow...the apple trees in Washington would still produce apples as would the orange trees in Florida. If there were no more illegal immigrants to pick the fruit I''m sure the orchard owners, lettuce and bean farmers, etc would still somehow reap their harvests.
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by adian1-2009 November 2, 2007 4:20 AM PDT
Honestly, things like this one bring me back to think if I am right or not in my intentions to vote for Ms. Clinton. Either she is for or against, or she comes out with a plan of her own. But evading answering the straight question is just not right. Either you eat the cake or keep the cake, unless it is that you have a new recipe for something to replace the cake.
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by rudy654-2009 November 2, 2007 4:24 AM PDT
Since they are already illegal and already illegally driving without a license...what makes anyone think they want to pay for car insurance? Posted by GrammaWhamma at 04:00 AM

You don''t know any illegals do you granny? In some states insurance is required and insurance companies even report directly to the DMV if people don''t have it. No insurance on your car means you are going to get a threatening letter in the mail. So yes, giving even illegals driver''s licenses can help insure that they get and keep insurance. In states that give illegals licenses it happens all the time.
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by rudy654-2009 November 2, 2007 4:27 AM PDT
If there were no more illegal immigrants to pick the fruit I''''m sure the orchard owners, lettuce and bean farmers, etc would still somehow reap their harvests.
Posted by GrammaWhamma at 04:16 AM

Regardless, the point is until they all go back to Mexico, stop buying the produce. You''re supporting them, don''t you know? Don''t you get it? If you don''t want them here, why are you buying the produce they continue to pick????? Take a stand!! Buy imported only!
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by andor3 November 2, 2007 4:30 AM PDT
geez this is such a silly discussion... everyone wants the undocumented workers here, and that is why they are here. Republicans and democrat, conservative and liberal, farmers and businesspeople. Especially businesspeople--all agree on the benefit of undocumented workers are needed. If you are one of the idiots arguing against this you either don''t understand how the US economy works or have been taken in by the political theater otherwise known as "immigration debate."

Nothing will change because no one who matters wants it to change. And yes--if you want it to change that means exactly what it implies.
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