When I moved to New Mexico a few years ago, I had to document that 1) I was resident of the state; 2) that I was who I said I was: and 3) that I was in the U.S. legally. Foreign nationals can substitute a birth certificate or consular card for item #3. Giving licenses to unauthorized immigrants hasn't affected insurance coverage at all in NM. There is fraud; I don't know how extensive it is. Lack of a license does not stop anyone from driving. There are plenty of U.S. citizens here who have multiple DWIs, and they drive without a license.
The bigger problem is REAL ID Act. At some point, there will be no more extensions and NM driver's licenses will not be compliant. I'll be able to board a plane using my passport, but many others won't.
I support a tiered system- driver's licenses for those here legally, and permits (renewed every 1-2 years) for those who aren't. The unauthorized immigrants are here, and they are not going to self-deport. There's some semblance of control with a tiered system, and our NM licenses will have a little more value.
The bigger problem is REAL ID Act. At some point, there will be no more extensions and NM driver's licenses will not be compliant. I'll be able to board a plane using my passport, but many others won't.
I support a tiered system- driver's licenses for those here legally, and permits (renewed every 1-2 years) for those who aren't. The unauthorized immigrants are here, and they are not going to self-deport. There's some semblance of control with a tiered system, and our NM licenses will have a little more value.
2
There is a way to test the varying hypotheses as to whether illegal immigrants/undocumented workers are or are not productive members of society. If all those who are here illegally and are working went on strike, we would know very quickly from employers' reactions what the real story is.
Whether it is in manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality industries, construction, or domestic services, if these folks are there and are vital, political noise will be made quickly by those who no longer can get the workers they want.
Too much of the noise surrounding these issues amounts to advocacy from ideological and moral perspectives using selective and often anecdotal evidence. Calling for a strike might actually constitute a "put up or shut up" moment for all concerned.
Whether it is in manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality industries, construction, or domestic services, if these folks are there and are vital, political noise will be made quickly by those who no longer can get the workers they want.
Too much of the noise surrounding these issues amounts to advocacy from ideological and moral perspectives using selective and often anecdotal evidence. Calling for a strike might actually constitute a "put up or shut up" moment for all concerned.
2
Unauthorized aliens may not be able to vote (and they won't risk deportation by going to the voting booth) but you can bet dollars to donuts that their U.S. CITIZEN relatives and children CAN and WILL vote.
1
So he can't drive to his illegal, under the table job he doesn't pay taxes on? WOW. The current immigration system is harsh, but not broken. I'm a recent immigrant myself. I had to work really hard and spent big bucks on getting my green card. I paid all of the fees and taxes. It was long and complicated process, but it's doable. I came into this country legally, with inspection and kept my legal immigration status. I obeyed the law and so should EVERYONE else.
17
We should also disband the Border Patrol so illegal immigrants wouldn't have to wade the Rio Grande. That makes life inconvenient. Illegal immigrants should be permitted to cross the border bridges and enter the United States simply by declaring their illegal status. We should issue driver's licenses and social security cards to illegal immigrants as they reach the U.S. side of the border crossing points since getting fake driver's licenses and fake social security cards is so inconvenient. And we should stop asking for visas at international airports.
12
"I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who are unwilling to go by the rules," says Stan Weeks. Except that these undocumented worker ARE, in fact, trying to play by the rules: they're seeking driver's licenses. They're working. They're waiting--endlessly--for coherent American policy on immigration that acknowledges that people who come here, work, have children, and go to school need a path to citizenship. It's the bitterest of ironies that we refuse to allow a path to citizenship and then blame people for seeking legal avenues, particularly with unemployment below 6%.
2
They're not trying to play by the rules. They're trying to dictate the rules. We do not owe any given person on the planet the right to come here. Those who argue otherwise are the last people who should be allowed to stay. Especially when they willfully break our immigration and employment laws.
15
If people like Castro spent more time fixing up Mexico and less time invading America then perhaps he wouldn't need to leave in the first place.
13
Someone needs to put a stop to the madness of rewarding bad behavior.
18
They shouldn't be here in the first place and driving is a privilege to CITIZENS of this country, these people are not legal citizens! This is another insensitive for them to come here and the more we enforce our laws the more it will be a deterrent for these illegals. Now we should go after the company that this guy works for!! DO NOT SUPPORT YOU MUST DEPORT!
13
Here is how we can get a start at handling this problem without bankrupting ourselves doing it.
first. Every intercepted border crosser is photo'ed, finger printed and DNA'ed and given 90 days in a detention center in a 3rd world country. In addition, anyone caught can NEVER be in America legally for any reason.
second. announce in 6 mos. Any illegal found here as above, can never be legally in the country for any reason.
third. announce that in 9 mos, every employee in the country will be run through e verify.
Fourth. Any illegal alien found after the 9 mos will have any and all assets confiscated.
fifth. Any employer found with an illegal employee after 9 mos. who can't show fraud by the alien gets a heavy fine or jail.
That will clear out a lot of illegals who will no longer have work, they will sell their houses and cars and go home. Cost to us...very little
Please go to Numbers USA (dot/com) and join for free. You can copy and fax this PLAN into the body of any of their faxes. The faxes go to your reps. And the faxes are free.
first. Every intercepted border crosser is photo'ed, finger printed and DNA'ed and given 90 days in a detention center in a 3rd world country. In addition, anyone caught can NEVER be in America legally for any reason.
second. announce in 6 mos. Any illegal found here as above, can never be legally in the country for any reason.
third. announce that in 9 mos, every employee in the country will be run through e verify.
Fourth. Any illegal alien found after the 9 mos will have any and all assets confiscated.
fifth. Any employer found with an illegal employee after 9 mos. who can't show fraud by the alien gets a heavy fine or jail.
That will clear out a lot of illegals who will no longer have work, they will sell their houses and cars and go home. Cost to us...very little
Please go to Numbers USA (dot/com) and join for free. You can copy and fax this PLAN into the body of any of their faxes. The faxes go to your reps. And the faxes are free.
13
They're not unauthorized immigrants. They are illegal immigrants. It is not for them to tell us how to run our society.
23
I refer to illegal immigration as "insourced outsourcing". When an employer outsources a job, it goes overseas to be done cheaply by someone in the third world. The job here is gone. With illegal immigration, the low cost workers are "imported", the job stays here. But it pays so little, we support the entire family, via Food Stamps, Medicaid, schooling, etc. And, the competition from illegal immigrants, desperate for the work, keeps wage levels down and ensures that a large number of Americans who might otherwise be able to get those jobs, are also living in poverty, and collecting all manner of entitlements.
What's better? A cleanly outsourced job, or one where we "import" an underclass to support so we can keep the job here and/or keep it structured much as it was 50 years ago.
What's better? A cleanly outsourced job, or one where we "import" an underclass to support so we can keep the job here and/or keep it structured much as it was 50 years ago.
15
This piece fails to recognize that licenses are de facto ID in most instances. Those who have them are rarely asked for any other form of ID. So granting driver's licenses for illegals grants them amnesty. That's not acceptable. We have the right to enforce our immigration and other laws even if Felipe Castro and Ms. Vizguerra feel otherwise. The two should not be allowed to dictate public policy after having freely broken our laws.
19
The states can differentiate these licenses to restrict their use to driving only and not for other identification purposes. If such "limited licenses" are made unavailable, undocumented persons will either buy fake licenses on the black market, or drive without licenses. Poorly trained, untrained and uninsured drivers create risk for others on the roads, increasing the incidence of accidents and the costs of "uninsured motorist coverage." It makes more sense and enhances safety to license and insure all drivers, rather than let them drive unlicensed and uninsured!
1
We have a huge unemployment problem in the U.S. Moreover, introducing half of the country of Mexico into the U.S. will make the U.S. unstable politically and culturally. It is imperative that illegal aliens not be given citizenship or the right to vote.
The solution is to stop illegal aliens at the border and deport all those who violated our borders, and thus our sovereignty. We then need to cut off the birth right citizenship (a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment) and cut off benefits.
We are $17 trillion in debt.
The solution is to stop illegal aliens at the border and deport all those who violated our borders, and thus our sovereignty. We then need to cut off the birth right citizenship (a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment) and cut off benefits.
We are $17 trillion in debt.
15
Felipe is breaking the law by being here, he is breaking the law by working here, most likely he does not file a tax return, but he is concerned about driving without a license. How arrogant is he that he is willing to have his name and picture published in the NY Times about how he is breaking the law.
14
I saw the illegal invasion 40 years ago and so did my fellow employees. They were brought in by busses and just dropped at the bus yards and turned loose with the approval of the Denver mayor at the time think(Pena) an attorney from Texas! Now the sad truth is these people don't know how to drive and they don't have insurance and they are all involved with total deceit and gaming the system! I am sure the stats on most of our hit-and-run situations are mostly these illegals who all need a bus ride back asap!
7
Unauthorized Immigrants??? Illegal invaders. Should not receive any assistance or privileges. They should return to their country and start legally.
13
Is there a reason they can't use a diver's license from Mexico? Does Mexico allow foreign nationals the right to get a Mexican drive's license? Even if those foreigners are breaking Mexican laws?
8
That is an interesting question. Drivers who are licensed in foreign countries can usually apply for and obtain an "International Drivers' License." These are common in Europe and to the best of my belief, honored in the United States for foreign visitors.
1
Mr. Castro I say to you You are in our country illegally and have taken a construction job that is meant for American man or woman but by working for far less that an American can afford to work for you have a job and help from our government that an American could not get. This is not fair to Americans and we request that you go home to your country and if you are not happy with things there fight for changes. I believe you should be treated no differently than if an American went into your country and obtained a job and attempted to stay there illegally while getting government benefits. I do not believe this could happen for long because foreigners in your country would be deported or jailed immediately. Why should we treat you any different than we would be treated in your country??
14
I feel compassion for those that will be impacted by this policy, but we have to take care of our own citizens first. A major reason for the income inequality in our country today is "Illegal" immigration. We have had for the last 55 years an increasing supply of lower skilled labor coming into the country therefore suppressing wages for these lower skilled workers. This is basic supply and demand economics. Therefore let's do our duty and protect our most vulnerable citizen workers and their ability to make a living wage by enforcing our immigration laws.
21
They are also creating demand for products and services. Tell me, what does supply and demand say happens if you were to remove 11 million consumers from the economy. The economic cost to removing this many people, meaning both the cost of rounding up and deporting 11 million people, as well as the economic hole that would be left in its wake, would be huge and by no measure worth it. The time to fix this was 30 years ago, after Reagan legalized undocumented immigrants. Unfortunately now its time to take the lesser of two evils and put the responsible and productive ones on a path to legal status.
1
It took us 25+ years of failing to enforce our immigration laws. It might take 10-15 to regain control. It doesn't have to be done all at once and shouldn't be. The way to do it is through enforcement -- steady, unapologetic, well communicated, day in day out enforcement that tells the world we have an immigration system and we expect it to be followed.
And, very importantly, we MUST end Birthright Citizenship, so we no longer allow people who are illegally present to have US citizen children that can be used to prevent the enforcement of our immigration laws.
And, very importantly, we MUST end Birthright Citizenship, so we no longer allow people who are illegally present to have US citizen children that can be used to prevent the enforcement of our immigration laws.
8
You see who is aiding CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS and who is trying to save the country for Americans?
People, never vote for a Dem. again. It's your neck on the line
People, never vote for a Dem. again. It's your neck on the line
7
There are consequences for breaking the law. I don't blame this person for wanting a better life for his family but that does not excuse one from obeying our laws. Offering drivers licenses to illegals only further encourages the practice. This person like all here illegally needs to be deported ASAP.
10
Taking licenses away from illegal immigrants will thus open up jobs for American citizens. Good policy. Long overdue.
19
Taking licenses away from undocumented persons means more unlicensed and uninsured drivers on the road, more accidents and financial costs for those without, or with inadequate "uninsured motorist coverage," Most people would prefer safety on the highways to vindictive policies which endanger others. We should make safety on the highways our first priority!
1
Step one: Driver's License
Step Two: Welfare
Step three: Elect more Democrats
Step Two: Welfare
Step three: Elect more Democrats
6
Can you believe the nerve of these people? THEY ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. And "not in the shadows" but out in media demanding rights and privileges that should be reserved for citizens.
You have Obama and Dems to thank for the criminal enterprise that has become America.
You have Obama and Dems to thank for the criminal enterprise that has become America.
11
A long time ago, I was taught that the first thing you need to do to fix something is to define what you want to achieve. Then you look at the current situation and figure out what is keeping you from achieving that goal. Then you come up with remedies to fix those things.
According to the headline, the problem is that people here illegally may not have ready access to drivers licenses. People in that situation who have an accident can "risk everything." Go to jail, face deportation.
Supporters of access to licenses say that besides enabling people to get to work, it improves safety.
Opponents say it amounts to amnesty and has become a magnet for fraud and human trafficking.
It used to be easy to figure out goals, when the primary one was enforcing the law or laws. But that's become a "nice to have."
We have reached a point of anarchy when it comes to illegal immigration. Before we come up with any solutions, we need to have some agreement about what we're trying to achieve, supportable by laws that are enforced.
According to the headline, the problem is that people here illegally may not have ready access to drivers licenses. People in that situation who have an accident can "risk everything." Go to jail, face deportation.
Supporters of access to licenses say that besides enabling people to get to work, it improves safety.
Opponents say it amounts to amnesty and has become a magnet for fraud and human trafficking.
It used to be easy to figure out goals, when the primary one was enforcing the law or laws. But that's become a "nice to have."
We have reached a point of anarchy when it comes to illegal immigration. Before we come up with any solutions, we need to have some agreement about what we're trying to achieve, supportable by laws that are enforced.
10
Exactly. Our overall objective should be to move forward in ways that ensure we don't make the existing problem worse and head off its recurrence. That's why many believe as I do that the only path forward is via steady, unapologetic, clearly communicated law enforcement over as many years as it takes to regain control.
And, very importantly, in this regard, we must end Birthright Citizenship. This nonsensical practice allows people not legally present to, in many cases, tap the taxpayer, to have US citizen kids, and, then, use this to argue that we can't enforce our immigration laws.
And, very importantly, in this regard, we must end Birthright Citizenship. This nonsensical practice allows people not legally present to, in many cases, tap the taxpayer, to have US citizen kids, and, then, use this to argue that we can't enforce our immigration laws.
13
Repealing Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution is a near impossibility. Most rights provided under the Bill of Rights, are made applicable to the states under that Amendment. Repeal of the Fourteenth Amendment is a near impossibility, as the vast majority of Americans would oppose it!
1
What other country gives driver license's to illegal aliens? Only two countries on earth grant citizenship by birth instead of by blood---unfortunately we are one of the two.
30
I don't understand why we have to help illegal immigrants on own account. The government should provide a decent life for its citizens first and foremost. To begin to solve the problem of Detroit.
17
It's so sad that some people don't feel compassion for another human being. They don't realize that the apples, tomatoes, grapes, etc, were picked up by a ' illegal immigrant'.In my opinion some republicans are the Pharisees of the 21 century.
3
Your compassion is beautiful: Let them stay-- we need our fruit and veggies picked for us!
2
Please. So what we have 11 million fruit pickers? How about "immigrants" having some basic respect for the nation, its laws and customs? Instead you get entitlement and demand making. That, is not good for any nation when "immigrants" feel they are owed something or that the country must adjust to them and their needs.
12
ILLEGAL is criminal, illegal aliens have no rights in this country, stop trying to sell this, come here legally.
9
It`s strange. First Obama decided to give them driving licenses and now officials decided to move in another direction. The same situation is with drugs. First we were stick to war on drugs policy but now we switch on to pot legalization. The absense of clear strategy isn`t a good solution.
Over 1 million people enter the US illegally every single year. When will our border ever be secured? Democrats laugh at the idea, and Republicans don't want to stop the influx of cheap labor. We, US citizens, are left hopeless looking into our country being endlessly flooded by illegal immigrants. We desperately need a president who is going to truly secure our border.
18
Over 2 million come to the US legally every year. So to say we are anti immigrant is total nonsense.
5
Take a good look at a map of the U.S.. One with miles listed, then explain how you would secure thousands of miles, including two oceans.
2
To in disbelief: If you will check the facts you will learn that our border with Mexico has been beefed up to a much higher degree under President Obama than it ever was before - more guards, drones, etc.etc.
Maybe if we would pay more attention to our neighbors to the South - all the way down through South America even - instead of spending endless billions on the Middle East, we would have fewer people desperate to get to our own country!
Maybe if we would pay more attention to our neighbors to the South - all the way down through South America even - instead of spending endless billions on the Middle East, we would have fewer people desperate to get to our own country!
I guess I am getting older and crazier - if these people are in this country illegally, why are they not detained and deported? According to the U.S. Code, such entry is a federal offense. And we worry about drivers licenses? No other country in the whole world permits such illegal entry - none. What has happened to us???
21
One word, selfish...Americans too often accept what ever justification our "leaders" offer us, because they frame it in a way that make it sound as if we are getting something out of the deal. they use our selfishness to buy our acquiescence. The right gets gets cheap labor (thus the divide between social conservatives and the business variety) and democrats think they are getting votes and more importantly and cynically they want illegals because they know conservatives don't, makes them feel superior. Hopefully at some point Americans can go back to doing what is right for society and their nation, and not just what is good for corporate profits.
3
In order to survive and keep a job people will drive without a license. Without a license they cannot have insurance. If there is an accident the person injured will not have any recourse to be compensated for their injuries and loss. How does that make any sense.
5
Bob, what makes you think these illegals will follow the law and get insurance? They've already broken numerous laws here (illegal entry, ID theft or fraud if they're working, tax fraud), why should they bother? Obama and the DOJ are giving them a FREE pass on just about everything that would get a LEGAL citizen jailed.
11
Well Red herring bob, What makes you think that because they have a license they will insure or register their car?
Furthermore I have been hit several times by insured and uninsured. Believe me it is a lot easier to get money out of your own insurance co. under "uninsured motorists coverage" than it is to get money out of some one else' company
Furthermore I have been hit several times by insured and uninsured. Believe me it is a lot easier to get money out of your own insurance co. under "uninsured motorists coverage" than it is to get money out of some one else' company
8
If I were to illegally cross the border into Mexico or Canada and demand that I get: amnesty/citizenship, healthcare, education, a driver's license, etc...I wouldn't get anything. Then I'd be arrested and deported for breaking the law.
The US needs to give the same treatment Canada and Mexico gives to their illegals.
The US needs to give the same treatment Canada and Mexico gives to their illegals.
28
The problem is that to many Democrats love to play the racial/ethnic politics and the Hispanic groups care only about ethnicity and nothing about the country.
5
You probably wouldn't be deported until you spent some time in their jail to discourage you from doing it again.
1
Let me see if I have this straight:
- We can't call them "illegal aliens;" we have to call them "undocumented."
- And we must issue the undocumented documents.
But, then what are we supposed to call them?
- We can't call them "illegal aliens;" we have to call them "undocumented."
- And we must issue the undocumented documents.
But, then what are we supposed to call them?
14
If you give documents to "undocumented immigrants" then they will be called immigrants.
1
Undocumented immigrants are driving freely on American public roads - many with state issued driver's licenses?
I thought they were "living in the shadows"?
I thought they were "living in the shadows"?
21
I see illegal Mexican farm workers in the grocery store on a regular basis. They are not living in the shadows or have an real fear of being deported. If they get away from the U.S./Mexican border the government isn't going to bother them in the least. There are so many illegals in this country that they are starting to bump up against the Canadian border. I am confident that if they start slipping over the U.S./Canadian border the Canadian government will do something about it.
10
“I cannot renew it,” Mr. Castro, 51, said. “We suffer. When we have one crash, we are ready to lose everything. We go to jail. We suffer the deportation.”
First of all they're not undocumented because they use stolen Social Security numbers to work.
Second they should have thought of all the problems they would have when they entered our country illegally!
First of all they're not undocumented because they use stolen Social Security numbers to work.
Second they should have thought of all the problems they would have when they entered our country illegally!
24
“It’s ridiculous and unjustifiable,” she said of the licensing change in Colorado. “It’s a way to punish the community. There’s no other way to say it.”
Which community? The community of illegal immigrants? (Yesterday the Times headline used the term illegal immigrants-- I was shocked! Today they've cleaned it up.)
And the states are "punishing" this community? How-- by taking away a right they don't actually possess? It's so frustrating that these invaders sneak in and immediately think they have rights! If they want rights, they need to enter the proper, legal way. If that takes time and effort, oh well.
Which community? The community of illegal immigrants? (Yesterday the Times headline used the term illegal immigrants-- I was shocked! Today they've cleaned it up.)
And the states are "punishing" this community? How-- by taking away a right they don't actually possess? It's so frustrating that these invaders sneak in and immediately think they have rights! If they want rights, they need to enter the proper, legal way. If that takes time and effort, oh well.
27
Driving around the block twice dosen't mean you can drive. So getting a license is more of a symbolic act than anything else.
1
All drivers must demonstrate an understanding of the "Rules of the Road" and competence to obtain a license; licenses are not given out free in cereal boxes!
1
Euphemisms aside, these are illegal immigrants who broke our laws to enter our Country and are breaking the law every moment they stay here.
They have benefited from our Nations compassion for years. To hear they are "angry" that they don't have the privilege to get a driver's license befuddles all my sensibilities. I doubt an illegal immigrant can get a driver's license in Mexico.
They do not deserve a driver's license and if unhappy they are welcome to return home and apply to come here legally.
The Colorado Legislature is right to deny their driver's license.
They have benefited from our Nations compassion for years. To hear they are "angry" that they don't have the privilege to get a driver's license befuddles all my sensibilities. I doubt an illegal immigrant can get a driver's license in Mexico.
They do not deserve a driver's license and if unhappy they are welcome to return home and apply to come here legally.
The Colorado Legislature is right to deny their driver's license.
24
I am sure getting documentation without any proof of identity is very popular with organised crime. But, people who pay to get smuggled into the country are part of organised crime.
The democrats mask their inability to control the situation with compassion, the republicans mask their inability to control the situation with arrogance and hate.
Until there is control of the borders, blaming the opportunists who take advantage of the incompetence of the politicals is spitting into the wind.
The democrats mask their inability to control the situation with compassion, the republicans mask their inability to control the situation with arrogance and hate.
Until there is control of the borders, blaming the opportunists who take advantage of the incompetence of the politicals is spitting into the wind.
9
I'm absolutely amazed not only from the sense of entitlement and assumptions from illegal immigrants about what this country owes them for the mere fact that they put foot on this land, no matter the means, but also from the bleeding heart citizens of this country that put their right to feel good about themselves over the good of their country. Why are citizens of this country expected to receive unending, unregulated torrents of people who speak a different language and abide by a completely different culture as if it were nothing, but those same people and their apologizers cannot even grasp for a minute that they are part of an unjust burden that any sovereign country has the right to address at their expense if push comes to shove, for it was never theirs to spend in the first place? Were it me travelling back to the United States after an illicit attempt at a life in a more well regulated, prosperous place, I would be no worse than where I started, feel lucky for the time spent and definitely not vindictive and indignant towards said country for enforcing the laws that they have seen fit. Unbelievably insane and mind boggling! I have no words!
29
Because many Hispanic groups and politicians have shown they only care about ethnicity and nothing about the country. They are slowing killing the things that have made the country great.
4
The entire southwest was part of Mexico/the Spanish empire for centuries before it was invaded and unwillingly incorporated into the United States. The millions of Spanish speaking Mexicans, who had their own government and laws in a society that spoke Castilian Spanish, found themselves in a new country, with an alien language, customs. These millions of Mexicans 'did not disapear', they survived. Their connections to their brethren did not end with the invasion and new, randomly chosen, militarized international border, they expanded. Mexicans are not alien to this territory, as they share the same history, on both sides of the border. Some say they are 'undocumented', but do not care about the millions of undocumented immigrants from the US that entered and invaded sovereign Mexican territory in the 19th century. It seems that these law breakers were 'real Americans', and somehow the Mexican narrative is in the wrong. Some say that as immigrants, 'they had to learn English', but this points to the ethnic cleansing that Spanish speaking people have had to endure in this nation since its territory encroached on theirs, this fanatical, xenophobic and bizarre insistence on eliminating every single piece of Castilian Spanish in the country, from Puerto Rico to California. These 'illegals' work hard, for jobs that many native-born will not take, and by and large, out of fear for their own status, are law-abiding. Give amnesty to all Mexicans without documentation, now.
1
So you are in favor of us kicking out those illegals that come from Central America, South America, Africa and Asia? And unless you are a native American I am sure you are in favor of the Native Americans kicking you out of this country as well.
2
So we suck and yet they desperately want to live here. Funny that. All modern nations have borders including Latino ones. Again, funny huh?
7
All Mexican immigration to the US should be shut down now. We've allowed in millions. We don't really anymore unskilled Latinos here who don't speak English and use social services. Let them fix up Mexico rather than invading America.
3
This doesn't address the main points of the article, but I would like to point out that the result of the crackdowns on documentation required to obtain a driver's license in some states (and I'm assuming this is to prevent undocumented people from obtaining them) has reached a ridiculous point. My brother allowed his to expire for some time, and I was absolutely stunned when I researched the process for starting from scratch to obtain the license. In terms of the documentation required, in Texas it is easier to obtain a US passport than it is to obtain a driver's license.
4
This licensing issue is so unlawful that it seems silly to even speak of it. The fact that States are willing to give illegals formal documentation that one can use in order to become a legal resident of that State flies in the face of federal law in that only the Feds have the authority to grant citizenship. Once given legal documentation that one can use to prove legal status as a resident of said State then the illegal person has State law on their side and Federal law against them. However, since Federal law is the only recognized authority that can grant legal immigration status this is a power grab by States that clearly contradict the powers granted to States and Federal authorities by the Constitution.
17
Cannot feel sorry for anyone in the country illegally, who will lose his or her job. Should not have a drivers license either, are any other rights a citizen has. Also keep this in mind, Obama does not care about you as he does everything for political gain.
13
Undocumented now unauthorized, you can try to use any euphemism you want, but the real deal is they are ILLEGAL and are not entitled to any privileges that citizens enjoy.
52
"Unauthorized" is fine with me. It's much better than the ridiculous "undocumented".
7
I immigrated to America at the age of 5. I was quarantined for 2 weeks to get the immunizations required to enter the United States of America. My sponsor was required to provide housing, food, medical and education requirements by American law. I started school not speaking English and no translate was provided. My sponsor ensured that I understood the importance of being in this wonderful country and I needed to ensure I abided by the law or I could be deported. Having a drivers license is a privilege not a right! I did not fill any forms requesting to sponsor anyone.
31
My brother spent his whole life learning the trade of construction. By doing his best to ensure quality craftsmanship and building contacts with both customers and contractors, he was able to ensure that he could pick up a job after his current one had been completed and get enough money to pay his bills and put a little aside for slumps or retirement.
The recession and the housing bust slowed things down quite a bit. Worse, his usual job prospects decided that in the interest of saving money, they hired illegals who would would work at a cheaper rate. Not cheaper than he was willing to work for, but cheaper than he could work and still make ends meet. My brother couldn't compete with these workers without destroying his quality of life.
This turned out to be inevitable, as having experience in a skilled trade with minimal application outside of that trade meant that there weren't many open doors for him. He bounced between multiple jobs, struggling to find one that paid even a few dollars more than minimum wage.
His income had been cut in half and his ability to bargain for pay raises was hindered by a certain large block of employees ready to take his spot if he tried to ask for much more than his starting pay. He sold his house, moved into a trailer, and is destitute.
I seriously doubt those of you who champion illegals on this site would make the same sacrifices to maintain their livelihood. Lose your home and your career then reevaluate your opinion.
The recession and the housing bust slowed things down quite a bit. Worse, his usual job prospects decided that in the interest of saving money, they hired illegals who would would work at a cheaper rate. Not cheaper than he was willing to work for, but cheaper than he could work and still make ends meet. My brother couldn't compete with these workers without destroying his quality of life.
This turned out to be inevitable, as having experience in a skilled trade with minimal application outside of that trade meant that there weren't many open doors for him. He bounced between multiple jobs, struggling to find one that paid even a few dollars more than minimum wage.
His income had been cut in half and his ability to bargain for pay raises was hindered by a certain large block of employees ready to take his spot if he tried to ask for much more than his starting pay. He sold his house, moved into a trailer, and is destitute.
I seriously doubt those of you who champion illegals on this site would make the same sacrifices to maintain their livelihood. Lose your home and your career then reevaluate your opinion.
63
Precisely. And those in the Northeast, further from the reality of illegal immigration, don't grasp the impact they have had on what used to be middle class jobs. We now have an entire scofflaw ecosystem of illegal workers and unscrupulous business owners undercutting the law abiding.
40
If Democrats really cared about income inequality and social justice, they would get serious about securing the borders. Illegal immigration steals jobs from Americans and steals resources from our social service programs.
11
Exactly, I am in the same boat.
I was in the CA DMV for almost 2 hrs, watching the very people that take my work away from now now being granted car licenses. They fly completely under the radar, they are given a pass when pulled over by police without a license, without car insurance. They are given free reign to take construction jobs from US citizens, and we cannot compete against illegals that pay no insurance, no bond, no taxes.
It is incredibly unfair, and the assumption that they take jobs "no one wants to do" is simply not true. I want to do my job.
I was in the CA DMV for almost 2 hrs, watching the very people that take my work away from now now being granted car licenses. They fly completely under the radar, they are given a pass when pulled over by police without a license, without car insurance. They are given free reign to take construction jobs from US citizens, and we cannot compete against illegals that pay no insurance, no bond, no taxes.
It is incredibly unfair, and the assumption that they take jobs "no one wants to do" is simply not true. I want to do my job.
21
This is brutal politics. The US needs immigrant labor but one of its political parties cultivates and benefits from anti-immigrant demagoguery and voting. Decent human beings are caught in the middle.
11
What makes you think the US needs more workers of any kind? Are you aware of the the fact that there are nearly 30 million Americans looking for jobs right now?
16
The US needs immigrant labor, or the agricultural sector does, as for the rest of the labor market such immigrant labor has a direct negative effect on wages and benefits, not to mention the jobs themselves.
6
wigglwagon, do you actually think many Americans want to work in the fields? It is hot, backbreaking work.
1
There is a couple of reasons why New Mexico, one of the earliest states to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, has soured on the idea. First, it has led to a lot of fraud, as NM has become the go to state for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses. Google: New Mexico + immigrant drivers license fraud. Secondly, they discovered that issuing the licenses did nothing to improve their nation leading rate of uninsured motorists. Thirdly, it doesn't reduce the rate of hit and run accidents because illegal immigrants don't want to stick around to find out if they have just been involved in something deportable -- licensed or not.
60
As someone from New Mexico, couldn't agree more.
18
New Mexico is another outpost of hispanic culture which means corruption and high welfare use. And that's no surprise. Look at Puerto Rico, another hispanic run area. It's a crime ridden, corrupt welfare state, $70 billion in debt and has high SS disability fraud. All of Latin America has high crime and corruption. American hispanic run border towns near Mexico have had police and politicians convicted of bribery and working with the cartels. Even hispanic border agents. And LA and NYC hispanic politicians are involved in criminal activities. Much of the US will be a corrupt Latin American style country within 20 years. It's pathetic.
3
Wasn't this country known at one time as a beacon of compassion? The rhetoric here is dismal.
3
Obviously your livelihood is not in jeopardy by the millions of illegals. Maybe you should apply your compassions to your fellow citizens that are losing their livelihood to illegals.
It's pretty easy to be pontificate a moral stance when your life is not completely effected by the issue.
It's pretty easy to be pontificate a moral stance when your life is not completely effected by the issue.
12
There is a difference between compassion and being taken advantage of.
15
You're not compassionate because you want to flood our job markets with unskilled foreigners to drive down wages and then hand the public the real bill to pay for it all.
12
It's so sad that Americans refuse to accept the fact that we are a nation of immigrants. Rather than make illegals welcome here and give them the tools to live here and pursue the American dream in their own way, we label them and do everything possible to deny them the opportunities we give to those of us who are born here or otherwise "legal." Hurting the least of us defies the Christian ideals of "loving one another." Ashamed of their behavior ? Not hardly. Those who deny others the freedom and opportunities needed to succeed reach for "purity" of purpose to micromanage the behavior of others. They have no shame because they do not have a moral conscience. That's perspective, not judgement. Too bad those who point a finger at the meek do not see the difference.
4
Since when did it become not okay to enforce existing laws? Should this just apply to immigration laws, or should we stop enforcing all existing laws?
What is fair about giving a certain group of people carte blanche to thumb their noses at laws they don't like? If a citizen tried that, he'd find himself in trouble with the legal system. Why should we make an exception for illegal aliens?
What is fair about giving a certain group of people carte blanche to thumb their noses at laws they don't like? If a citizen tried that, he'd find himself in trouble with the legal system. Why should we make an exception for illegal aliens?
15
I bet you cherry pick the bible as well. We can love others without hurting our own. We can give a hand to our own first then help our neighbors. I see too many Americans homeless, starving because of this illegal activity. There is not enough jobs to go around. You have not been affected like this so you do not see the problem!
10
There's nothing moral about illegal immigration. It keeps the heat from Latino dictators, floods the schools in our poorest districts and encourages excessive population increases in Latino countries. All nations have borders. It is hardly immoral to enforce them.
Christianity is half the problem in Latino nations as church leaders denounce birth control and lobby to disallow legal abortion. A little atheism would do this hemisphere some real good.
Christianity is half the problem in Latino nations as church leaders denounce birth control and lobby to disallow legal abortion. A little atheism would do this hemisphere some real good.
7
Immigrants came illegally because people have hired them. If there were no work, they wouldn't come in such numbers. The system is broken and can't be fixed until we recognize we have to be flexible and negotiate deeply held differences.
13
The system isn't broken because unskilled Latino foreigners want access to our job market and welfare state and unscrupulous employers are happy to help.
5
Tens of thousands of well-off Coloradans have their houses cleaned, their lawns cut and their grandmothers cared for by undocumented workers.
The woman who comes to the house to care for these Coloradans' children may have to decide between, on one side, risking deportation by driving her own children to the doctor without a license, or on the other side, getting them to the clinic where no public transportation goes, to see their doctor.
While they feel fine about having an undocumented lady take care of Grandma for $8/hour, they want to deny her a drivers' license.
The woman who comes to the house to care for these Coloradans' children may have to decide between, on one side, risking deportation by driving her own children to the doctor without a license, or on the other side, getting them to the clinic where no public transportation goes, to see their doctor.
While they feel fine about having an undocumented lady take care of Grandma for $8/hour, they want to deny her a drivers' license.
14
Well as a past Coloradan I can say I never had an illegal immigrant take care of my children, and shame on the hypocrites who do use such workers in the first place. Your comment has little to do with driver's licenses and more to do with the need for a crackdown on those who employ illegal immigrants in the first place.
15
Who cares about illegals in Colorado. They are economic migrants. They need to be deported back to their own countries and then they should change the govt in their respective homes. Why is anyone allowing corrupt Latin American and African countries to skim off billions from their own citizenry and allow them to be impoverished? Why are we allowing these countries to export the detritus of their society to the US?
4
Regardless of one's stance on immigration, the undocumented are clearly here, they need money to live, so they have to work, and they need transportation. The implication of that is that they will continue to drive, licenses or not, and not being licensed means that one cannot purchase automobile liability insurance. If they drive without a license and with no insurance, they are also extremely likely to flee the scene of any accident, since that is cause for deportation. The other party is then left holding the bag for any costs incurred. It's not as if they could all be deported tomorrow, even if President Obama and Congress were to jointly order it. Licenses and mandatory insurance for the undocumented are imperative if the rest of the population is to be protected from financial losses.
As for enabling the undocumented, it is past time for the Social Security Administration to issue unique identifiers to the undocumented, since it is clear that most are here to stay, so that they can pay their fair share of payroll and income taxes through their own records, rather not paying at all or paying using another's number. In addition, the government should step up auditing of businesses, imputing the number of employees required to staff them and investigating any discrepancies.
Pragmatism aside, undocumented immigrants do suppress wages and displace other workers, particularly those from other historically disadvantaged groups. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime.
As for enabling the undocumented, it is past time for the Social Security Administration to issue unique identifiers to the undocumented, since it is clear that most are here to stay, so that they can pay their fair share of payroll and income taxes through their own records, rather not paying at all or paying using another's number. In addition, the government should step up auditing of businesses, imputing the number of employees required to staff them and investigating any discrepancies.
Pragmatism aside, undocumented immigrants do suppress wages and displace other workers, particularly those from other historically disadvantaged groups. Illegal immigration is not a victimless crime.
10
If all the illegal immigrants were deported tomorrow, some sectors of the economy would grind to a screeching halt. The illegals are doing lots of jobs that citizens and legal immigrants are unwilling to do. And it is no different in Switzerland (or for most of the western world) than it is in the USA.
5
Sally, no sector of the economy would "grind to a screeching halt." The employers of the illegal workers would just be forced to abide by the US labor laws and they would also have to pay competitive wages to get the jobs done. That is basic economics known as supply and demand.
Now, employers like the agriculture industry refuse to hire legal workers because they would have to abide by labor laws like paying time and a half over 8 and over 40. Virtually no farmers who employ illegals abide by the laws requiring workers compensation insurance.
These employers thumb their noses at the law because politicians are bought and paid for by the cheap labor lobby on K Street. Hence, there is only minimal enforcement of current laws. Exploiting illegal workers is the employer's ticket to retiring to a 250 foot yacht instead of a 25 footer.
Now, employers like the agriculture industry refuse to hire legal workers because they would have to abide by labor laws like paying time and a half over 8 and over 40. Virtually no farmers who employ illegals abide by the laws requiring workers compensation insurance.
These employers thumb their noses at the law because politicians are bought and paid for by the cheap labor lobby on K Street. Hence, there is only minimal enforcement of current laws. Exploiting illegal workers is the employer's ticket to retiring to a 250 foot yacht instead of a 25 footer.
12
There is no way in heaven that all the illegal immigrants are going to be leaving tomorrow, or anytime soon, so why even go there. For sure many sectors of the US economy have become dependent on illegal workers, and that has come at the cost of American workers. The point is GDP is not a good measure for making America great, its how we treat our citizens, for while corporate profits have swelled especially in areas that use low wage illegal workers, the American standard of living is dropping, and has been for decades.
4
This prohibition of licenses in some form is just nuts. Not only does it shut down the economic lives of undocumented people, it does the same for those who depend upon them, who may be here legally. Licensing also requires drivers to obtain insurance for their protection and for everyone else.
Once again, an economic issue is made into a moral one by republicans.
Once again, an economic issue is made into a moral one by republicans.
9
According to the New Mexico DMV website proof of insurance is NOT required to obtain or renew a driver's license.
7
How about the economics of the American citizen? Or the economy in general? Come to America and demand your drivers license, tuition breaks, schooling, not learning English, have kid for free and get American benefits. Yeah that is just great for the country to be treated like an entitlement program.
11
What's nuts is rewarding millions of unskilled, unvetted foreigners for breaking our laws.
8
Republicans try their damnedest to drive a stake through the heart of hard working immigrants who are just trying to feed/take care of his/her family, and act surprised when communities they are targeting for harm don't vote for them.
9
Illegal aliens can't vote.
12
It isn't about politics, fed. It's about economics. Only the mindlessly partisan and the ignorant don't bother to consider the cost.
9
Please. And Democrats love to sell out the country for one group that thinks it deserves special treatment. Ethnicity over country right? Drivers license, tuition, free healthcare, benefits for US born kids, demands NOT to be deported for "minor crimes" etc. Perhaps people are tired of "immigrants" who have no respect for the country but are very demanding of it.
11
"What is surprising is that it happened in Colorado, a swing state where Latinos make up about 14 percent of eligible voters and are starting to be elected in larger numbers to the State Legislature."
With the statement above, the authors of this article make clear their belief that US citizens who are Latino condone the presence of cheating, illegal alien Latinos solely because the latter are Latinos. That is a very patronizing view of US citizens who are Latino and is not supported by any facts.