The New York State Senate passed legislation that would stop Governor Spitzer's plan to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens by requiring a social security number or proof of authorized presence in the United States to obtain a New York State drivers license or non-driver identification card.
The legislation (S.6484) is co-sponsored by Senator Mary Lou Rath. It would require applicants for a drivers license or non-driver identification card to submit a social security number. When a social security number cannot be provided, the applicant must demonstrate they are ineligible to get a number and provide satisfactory proof that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.
Senator Mary Lou Rath (R-C-I, Williamsville), Chair of the Senate’s Tourism, Recreation and Sports Development Committee, said: "By trying to enforce a policy that was not properly vetted by the public and the Legislature, the Governor is not only compromising our state’s security, he is jeopardizing our citizens’ ability to travel--particularly cross-border travel. Much tourism is generated by Canadian and Western New York residents attending sporting events and participating in recreational activities. Invalidating our drivers license as a means of ID certainly would limit the ease of travel we now enjoy."
"I have never seen such strong and united opposition to a proposal by the Governor," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "Governor Spitzer’s plan to give drivers licenses to illegal aliens has incensed New Yorkers in every part of the State and every political party because they see the threat it would pose to public safety and security. The Governor insists on moving forward with this plan, but today the Senate will act on legislation to stop it. I urge the Assembly to pass this bill to send a clear message to the Governor that he should drop this plan."
The Senate held a public hearing on the legislation last week. Experts on national security, immigration, secure drivers licenses and ID cards, and representatives of the families of 9/11 victims spoke out against the Governor’s plan, calling it a threat to security.
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