FAIR Congratulates New York Senate

FAIR Congratulates New York Senate for Opposing
Plan to Give Driver's Licenses to Illegal Aliens
(Washington DC) The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which represents some 12,000 members in New York State, issued the following statement regarding the passage of S. 6484, a bill before the New York State Senate requiring proof of legal U.S. residence to obtain a driver's license. The bill was approved Monday by a 39-19 vote:

"FAIR congratulates Sen. Frank Padavan and a bipartisan coalition of legislators for their swift and decisive action to block Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to reward illegal aliens in New York with driver's license privileges. S. 6484 is a victory for common sense, the rule of law and national security. The bill also reflects the overwhelming opinion of New Yorkers, more than 70 percent of whom oppose granting driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

"A driver's license is the de facto document that Americans use to identify themselves in a variety of situations, including boarding airplanes. The terrorists who killed nearly 3,000 people in New York on September 11, 2001 used driver's licenses issued by New Jersey, Virginia and Florida to board flights that morning. It is inconceivable to most New Yorkers that given the enormous price that the state has already paid for lax issuance of these vital identity documents, that Gov. Spitzer is intent on reversing the state's longstanding policy of requiring proof of legal residence to obtain a New York license or identity card.

"We urge the Assembly to follow the lead of the State Senate and reaffirm New York's commitment to protecting the security of its people and the nation. Ensuring road safety in New York can and should be accomplished by enforcing existing motor vehicle codes against people who drive without licenses and insurance, not by capitulating to the demands of the illegal alien lobby.

"It is time for Gov. Spitzer to listen to the law-abiding people of New York, to national security experts, and to local officials who issue licenses. He needs to abandon his ill-advised efforts which reward illegal immigrants at great risk to the public.