Breaking News: It Looks Like NY Gov. Spitzer Backs Down On Revises Licenses For Illegals Plan (sort of)

Looks like a partial victory at best:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, as expected, and US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, has announced what is essentially a compromise in the governor’s mushrooming illegal alien drivers license debate.

Basically, the plan calls for a two, or really a three-track drivers license program in New York: one for illegal immigrants, another that will let citizens cross the Canadian border without a passport (that will soon be a requirement). Thirdly drivers can choose to get a federally-approved Real ID license that will let them board airplanes and enter federal buildings without presenting a passport or other proof of citizenship.

The second two, however, will carry a yet-to-be determined extra cost.

At first blush, Spitzer’s move is both a defeat and a smart tactical move.

Not sure why the federal government is signing off on any type of legal documentation for illegal immigrants but we'll see what this means as more details emerge.

Having had a few minutes to think about this I don't see how this is going to quell the anger that was generated by the earlier plan. Yes, the fact that NY licensees were being devalued as ID for things like getting on an airplane was part of the outcry but at the heart was the very idea of providing legal instruments to illegal immigrants. This plan doesn't address that except it will cost more for citizens to get a service they already get while illegals pay the current lower price. How exactly is that going to make people less angry?

How long until some 'immigrants rights' group complains that illegals are being treated as 'second class citizens'?

posted by DrewM. at 12:47 PM

| Access Comments