State gov race brings attention to immigrant driver's licenses
SEATTLE (AP) - The races for governor and attorney general have brought renewed attention to a proposal that would create a two-tiered driver's license system in Washington to address the issue of driving by immigrants who can't provide proof of legal U.S. residency.
Washington and New Mexico remain the only two states in the country not to require proof of legal U.S. residency when applying for a driver's license.
Under the proposal known as the Utah model, a person who can't prove U.S. residency can get a permit that allows them to drive, but that document is not a valid identification.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna backs the idea, and attorney general candidates Republican Reagan Dunn and Democrat Bob Ferguson speak of it favorably.
"The idea that you should be able to obtain (a key identity document) without proving you're a legal resident of the country is seriously mistaken," McKenna said during a debate in Yakima earlier this month.
McKenna's opponent, Democrat Jay Inslee, has said he prefers keeping Washington's current system in place.
Over the years, this has been a contentious issue in Olympia that pits immigrant advocacy groups against conservatives.
Immigrant groups argue that when illegal immigrants have access to driver's licenses, it creates safer roads and allows them to purchase insurance. Opponents say that failing to ask for proof of U.S. residency invites identity fraud and could end up putting noncitizens in the state's voter rolls.
In Utah, one industry that relies heavily on immigrant labor hasn't seen much change since the law there was passed in 2005.
"Certainly there are labor shortages in our agricultural community, but we didn't feel (the driver's license law) had a significant impact," said Sterling Brown, vice president of public policy at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. "It has not had an immediate or significant impact on the agriculture community."
According to Utah Driver License Division data, the number of people applying for the Driving Privilege Card has steadily climbed since 2005, from 21,600 to 38,997 in 2011. It peaked at 43,000 in 2008. That same year a state audit found that more than 75 percent of people who had the driving permit also had active car insurance, comparable to the 82 percent rate of drivers with a regular license.
But now immigrant rights groups in Utah are worried about information sharing between the state and the federal government.
In the 2011 legislative session, lawmakers changed the law to mandate the state to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an applicant has a felony on this record. If the individual applying has a misdemeanor warrant outstanding, the state notifies the agency who sought the person's arrest.
Luis Garza, executive director of Comunidades Unidas, says he's concerned that people with minor offenses such as traffic infractions will be caught in the dragnet. He's also worried about the database of people applying for the driving permits being leaked.
Beyond that, the system creates a two-class society, he said.
"They have big red letters saying for 'driving privilege only'," Garza said. "Anyone who shows that card - who may or may not be undocumented in the country - is a second class citizen."
In 2010, the Utah Legislature created another driving permit for noncitizen legal residents, who initially could get the Driving Privilege Card. Still, nearly 160 legal immigrants have the permit.
It's not just immigrant rights groups who oppose the two-tier system. In 2011, a Republican state senator wanted to undue the law because he saw the driving permit as a magnet for illegal immigrants.
In Washington, numerous bills to require proof of U.S. residency have been filed but have never made it the floor of any legislative chamber in recent memory. A bill using the Utah model was introduced in 2011, but did not make it out of committee.
In 2010, the Department of Licensing answered some of the concerns about driver's licenses by narrowing the documents that it now requires to provide proof of Washington residency. It now requires proof of a valid Washington residence address if an applicant doesn't provide a verified Social Security number. The proof documents, such as rental agreements, will be copied and verified by the agency before a permanent license is issued.
"First and foremost, we believe the current system works and we want as much as possible that DOL doesn't become ICE," said Toby Guiven, public policy director at OneAmerica, an immigrant advocacy group.
According to Department of Licensing data, fewer out-of-state people who didn't provide a Social Security number have sought to obtain a driver's license in Washington in the last two years, suggesting the department's new restrictions are deterring illegal immigrants from other state from getting a license here.
The department's data shows that in 2011, 9,237 people didn't provide a Social Security number when obtaining a license. In all of 2010, more than 23,000 did not. As of October of 2012, more than 5,000 have.
Guiven argued that creating a new system would add costs to the state budget, new bureaucracies and more wait time at the local DMV office.
In Utah, wait lines did increase shortly after the new law was passed, but subsequently decreased, according to an audit.
One unsolved issue around driver's licenses is the arrival of the federal REAL ID act. It was passed in 2005, but its implementation has been delayed since then. The latest deadline for states to come into compliance is January of next year. But officials expect that deadline to be extended.
Department of Licensing spokeswoman Chris Anthony said the Department of Homeland Security has asked for so far an update package for the state at the end of October, but that's it so far.
She added that state lawmakers passed a measure that prohibited the department from acting on REAL ID until the federal government provided money.
Washington and New Mexico remain the only two states in the country not to require proof of legal U.S. residency when applying for a driver's license.
Under the proposal known as the Utah model, a person who can't prove U.S. residency can get a permit that allows them to drive, but that document is not a valid identification.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna backs the idea, and attorney general candidates Republican Reagan Dunn and Democrat Bob Ferguson speak of it favorably.
"The idea that you should be able to obtain (a key identity document) without proving you're a legal resident of the country is seriously mistaken," McKenna said during a debate in Yakima earlier this month.
McKenna's opponent, Democrat Jay Inslee, has said he prefers keeping Washington's current system in place.
Over the years, this has been a contentious issue in Olympia that pits immigrant advocacy groups against conservatives.
Immigrant groups argue that when illegal immigrants have access to driver's licenses, it creates safer roads and allows them to purchase insurance. Opponents say that failing to ask for proof of U.S. residency invites identity fraud and could end up putting noncitizens in the state's voter rolls.
In Utah, one industry that relies heavily on immigrant labor hasn't seen much change since the law there was passed in 2005.
"Certainly there are labor shortages in our agricultural community, but we didn't feel (the driver's license law) had a significant impact," said Sterling Brown, vice president of public policy at the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. "It has not had an immediate or significant impact on the agriculture community."
According to Utah Driver License Division data, the number of people applying for the Driving Privilege Card has steadily climbed since 2005, from 21,600 to 38,997 in 2011. It peaked at 43,000 in 2008. That same year a state audit found that more than 75 percent of people who had the driving permit also had active car insurance, comparable to the 82 percent rate of drivers with a regular license.
But now immigrant rights groups in Utah are worried about information sharing between the state and the federal government.
In the 2011 legislative session, lawmakers changed the law to mandate the state to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an applicant has a felony on this record. If the individual applying has a misdemeanor warrant outstanding, the state notifies the agency who sought the person's arrest.
Luis Garza, executive director of Comunidades Unidas, says he's concerned that people with minor offenses such as traffic infractions will be caught in the dragnet. He's also worried about the database of people applying for the driving permits being leaked.
Beyond that, the system creates a two-class society, he said.
"They have big red letters saying for 'driving privilege only'," Garza said. "Anyone who shows that card - who may or may not be undocumented in the country - is a second class citizen."
In 2010, the Utah Legislature created another driving permit for noncitizen legal residents, who initially could get the Driving Privilege Card. Still, nearly 160 legal immigrants have the permit.
It's not just immigrant rights groups who oppose the two-tier system. In 2011, a Republican state senator wanted to undue the law because he saw the driving permit as a magnet for illegal immigrants.
In Washington, numerous bills to require proof of U.S. residency have been filed but have never made it the floor of any legislative chamber in recent memory. A bill using the Utah model was introduced in 2011, but did not make it out of committee.
In 2010, the Department of Licensing answered some of the concerns about driver's licenses by narrowing the documents that it now requires to provide proof of Washington residency. It now requires proof of a valid Washington residence address if an applicant doesn't provide a verified Social Security number. The proof documents, such as rental agreements, will be copied and verified by the agency before a permanent license is issued.
"First and foremost, we believe the current system works and we want as much as possible that DOL doesn't become ICE," said Toby Guiven, public policy director at OneAmerica, an immigrant advocacy group.
According to Department of Licensing data, fewer out-of-state people who didn't provide a Social Security number have sought to obtain a driver's license in Washington in the last two years, suggesting the department's new restrictions are deterring illegal immigrants from other state from getting a license here.
The department's data shows that in 2011, 9,237 people didn't provide a Social Security number when obtaining a license. In all of 2010, more than 23,000 did not. As of October of 2012, more than 5,000 have.
Guiven argued that creating a new system would add costs to the state budget, new bureaucracies and more wait time at the local DMV office.
In Utah, wait lines did increase shortly after the new law was passed, but subsequently decreased, according to an audit.
One unsolved issue around driver's licenses is the arrival of the federal REAL ID act. It was passed in 2005, but its implementation has been delayed since then. The latest deadline for states to come into compliance is January of next year. But officials expect that deadline to be extended.
Department of Licensing spokeswoman Chris Anthony said the Department of Homeland Security has asked for so far an update package for the state at the end of October, but that's it so far.
She added that state lawmakers passed a measure that prohibited the department from acting on REAL ID until the federal government provided money.
So, we want their most productive years to keep the price of the produce we buy at the supermarket low, that way we don't have to import apples from Chile and lettuce form Honduras. And we also need them to do work on our yards, build our homes, watch our children, wash our cars and cook our meals at the restaurants, that way we can afford the prices we are willing to pay.  But we don't want them here and we will make getting papers as difficult as possible so they com here as undocumented to keep the price of the stuff we buy and eat low.Â
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It is such a hypocritical position to call them anything besides hard working and keepers of our life style.  If you really donât like them, make sure to call the restaurant ahead and ask if their kitchen staff is US born, also buy fruits from your local farmer after making sure the workers are the sons and daughters and not immigrants, most of whom are undocumented.  Anything is pure racism, ignorance, hypocrisy and bias.
Todd - I feel it's pretty simple. If you're an illegal alien and can't prove citizenship, then you can't really show proof of insurance to an officer, can you?
When did America become the world's hotel?
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A long time ago! I guess you have not heard, we are the World Police also.
I cannot get a student scholarship but our state is looking into programs to help illegals get an education? I go to the DSHS office because I needed EBT assistance (for 1 year because I lost my job) and see more than 90% of the people in there were Hispanic. My mom came here as an immigrant and went through ALL of the loopholes to become an American Citizen, why can't they do it? As a tax payer I do not appreciate funding various programs to facilitate illegals and their special interest groups. I don't care if you are Irish, Russian,Somalian,Canadian, or Indian IF you are here illegally sucking up hard earned tax payer funds you are stealing from the gov't and it's citizens. It hard enough we have American citizens who decide to live off the tax payers for 10,15,20 plus years. There are ways to become a legit part of society. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
If you don't want illegal immigrants here, fine and jail those who hire them. They will leave if there is no work to be had. Your food and services will cost more, but U.S. citizens will be doing that work. Some corporate farms may go broke leaving that farming to return to family farms.
A slap in the face to all who came here legally.
How can someone be "second class citizen" if they're not a citizen?
It's funny - the Republicans bring this up every election.
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And then do absolutely nothing about it after the election.
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'Them evil illegal immigrants' are pawns to get votes for the Republican candidates and nothing more.
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There's all this yammering / hand wringing / proclaiming that the illegal immigrant is the cause of major evils in our society / blatant blaming of illegal immigrants for things they don't have anything to do with while lumping all of them in with the few who do the actual bad things / ignoring the full and balanced set of facts involved (try getting an 'American citizen' to do the back breaking work that many of these illegals do for American companies- YOU CAN'T).
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And then after the election........  Nothing......
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Nothing at all from these very Republicans that made all these claims and raised the issues as 'so very important to resolve'
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And claiming that 'because dems control this or that' is merely a distraction. Republicans are free to submit bills that would make these changes that the Republican candidates ACT like they want - but rarely, and I mean RARELY do they ever actually submit anything on immigration reform / illegal immigration.
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 @FormerMarineSgt .p.s.-To use your own line, it is funny...your post that is...and how the word moot comes to mind.
 @FormerMarineSgt My Dear discharged serviceman.....Looks like even a D introduced a bill to curb....but like MOST bills brought up, mostly by R's, it never passed the D controlled State....this paragraph really says it all....no yammering/ hand wringing/ or proclamation...right there for ya
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"Illegal aliens are able to obtain Washington driver's licenses and from there they can gain employment, public benefits and other taxpayer-funded benefits," said Craig Keller, who heads a group called Respect Washington, which is preparing to back an initiative for the sixth straight year to discourage illegal immigration in the state. "We are attracting a population to the state of Washington that distorts the state budget, makes teachers scream about overcrowded classrooms and absconds with congressional seats."
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Here is a link to whole story:Â http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2014048925_licenses.html
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@Sydthepiper @FormerMarineSgt - One bill was actually submitted. That's not 'many'. Â
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And I was talking in general about the 'scourge of illegal immigration' as described by republican candidates during campaigns.... They barf on and on about how evil they are, how bad the problem is, yet no significant bills get submitted to resolve the issue.
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And you quote a partisan head of a 'stop illegal immigration/deport them all/arrest them' group.  Not by any stretch a fair and balanced individual with an honest fair point of view.
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I'm all for HONEST debate and an HONEST re-working of immigration policy. Not the one sided myopic extremism of those of the 'Respect Washington' type.
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I'd like to see who you'd get to harvest your food if your type succeeds.  American citizens won't. It's been tried multiple times - and nearly no one shows up when that kind of work is offered to Americans.  Â
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The lies spewed by the folks of the 'illegals are taking all of our jobs, benefits and education from Americans are as bad as those spewed by the 'voter ID laws to prevent Voter fraud' types. Neither are supported by the majority of the 'so-called' facts spewed by these groups, but they vehemently believe in those false facts nonetheless.
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As I've written, I'm all for reforming immigration, I'm just not stupid enough to believe the simplistic half baked unrealistic 'solutions' offered by these folks.
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 @FormerMarineSgt laws regarding this issue have been submitted as bills but
had no chance of even getting off the table because until two years ago the ruling party
for about three controlled both the state house of representatives and the state senate.
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Two years the Republicans finally achieved a majority in the house, but without the
senate backing a responsible solution to this issue, it will continue to be SOS-DD.
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One has to ask why we are one of only two states that have not seen fit to address
this issue. I blame that fact on the party that has dominated the political arena in this
state for much too long.
It appears that McKenna may be relying on common sense. Not many in elective office in our blue state can claim that. Thank you KOMO for reminding me that the left is still the home of the empty headed vacuous progressives. Giving "semi-official" documentation of unproven ID to illegal aliens serves absolutely no purpose.
If your here illegally you should get nothing!Â
KOMO has thrown red meat into the last days of the election. Anyone, actually everyone can read the intention here, sell more yellow-journalism. But also, thank you KOMO for reminding those of us how important it is to stay on guard against the tea-party and their leader in chief in Washington Rob McKenna, and how important it is for us to make sure that the progressive base that makes Washington a BLUE STATE remains actively engaged. McKenna, as I have said it before, you are a nice person but you represent some extreme people that we can never support. For that reason alone, the Latino vote, the fastest growing voting bloc in WA and in the country, will continue to vote blue. I hope some day you learn from your mistakes.
@Socialjusticeforall Someday, those "mistakes" will be corrected. Obama, and Queen Christine will be out of office, immigration ENFORCEMENT will be the RULE, not just an idea, and the Latino voting bloc, will be the fastest SHRINKING in the nation as the illegals are booted the heck out of here. Prepare yourself, it's coming sooner than you think. Oh, and one other thing....you shouldn't comment on extremism, when you yourself promote it.
 @Socialjusticeforall Guess what lots of people like the Tea Party.
 @Socialjusticeforall ......and there is no extremism on the left?? Puhleeeze.
Those of us who have even a 1/8 of an ounce of common sense need to stay on guard so extremists on the left don't try to shove a State income tax down our throats, force EVERY driver to get a transponder so crack tax hungry Governors & Legislatures can toll every mile of every road in this BLUE STATE
(...and of your Latino block...break it down for us would ya....in %'s....how much of it is illegal)??
"...that pits immigrant advocacy groups against conservatives." What a loaded crock of slanted journalism.
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One does not have to be liberal or conservative to be an advocate for immigration. I guess the author just surmises that liberals approve of all forms of immigration, illegal, or not, and conservatives just want the process to be legal.
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I am an independent, American-born Norwegian American, who has lived and and worked in a very impoverished area of central Mexico. I understand, fully, WHY they come here. They are just trying to escape their lives of profound poverty, and survive on planet earth. It's not their fault that they were born, it's their country's fault.
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We can all discuss all the immigration issues, but when, oh when, is the US going to place the blame on Mexico, and other central American countries, who refuse to educate (scholastically & reproductively) and support their own citizens. I say SHAME on Mexico for not providing education, jobs, birth control, teaching birth control, or dealing with their own over-population, then publicly encouraging illegal immigration to the US. WHEN is the US, politicians, and all of us, going to hold the countries responsible for illegal immigration, accountable?
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It's called addressing the root problem while not being so tolerant as to condone, support, and PAY for the consequences. The other comments are correct. Washington is a sanctuary state, and that is our politicians fault, while you and I are paying for their negligence.
 @Yadayada "I say SHAME on Mexico for not providing education, jobs, birth control, teaching birth control, or dealing with their own over-population".
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Since those are all issues that American politicians haven't effectively addressed here I doubt we have much credibility lecturing other nations.
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If you ask me any serious discussion about the illegal immigration problem in this country has to START with cracking down on the employers who give these people jobs. These people wouldn't be here if they didn't know they could find work.
 @Petwlkr Point well taken and very accurate. BUT, on the other side of the fence, if the poverty wasn't so profound, and over-population wasn't so rampant, then there wouldn't be the need for basic survival AND illegal immigration. And thus, the propensity for American employers to take advantage of the illegals plight to seek ANY kind or resource for very basic survival, wouldn't exist.
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So, I still say, SHAME on Mexico, AND SHAME on the US for not empowering Mexico and all of Central America to solutions that would decrease illegal immigration. Heck, we give billions and billions of dollars to countries all over the world who actually hate the US, yet we won't stand up for a basic principle for a country to be accountable for the citizenry within their own country and countries.
 @Yadayada Absolutely correct! I was not suggesting that the Mexican government didn't deserve a large share of the blame here. I was merely pointing out how hypocritical it would be for the US government to lecture anyone else on how to solves issues that they themselves haven't been able to effectively tackle in their own back yard.Â
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Then again it's no secret that America seems to have no problem with a "do as I say, not as I do" mindset when it comes to international politics.
@Petwlkr @Yadayada - American politicians won't address the issue at all.  Except that the republicans will use illegals as fodder to foster hate in order to get votes.  Otherwise, they ignore the issue even more than the dems do.
 @FormerMarineSgt Both parties have their hot button issues that they whip out for the express purpose of getting their base frothing at the mouth and out to the polls.
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Illegal immigration is just the latest addition to the Guns, God & Gays meme that the Republicans rely on.
@YadayadaÂ
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You are wrong, it is easy to blame Mexico and other countries for their faults but I will only agree to that if you also blame the so-called "first world" in other words US, the people from the US and the other top 10 dogs in the world for promoting exploitation and corruption in the third world. Added to that the Catholic Church keeps telling the poor in Latin-America that it is God's will to be poor because the rich will never go to Heaven and then you add to that our over-consumption in the US that makes every country sell more and more stuff to the US consumers for cheap (pennys on the dollar), then you have the situation today.
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On top of that you have corrupted politicians and overpopulation in Latin-America.Â
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So, when you are ready to distribute blame properly, we can have a reaosnable conversation.
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 @Socialjusticeforall I DID "DISTRIBUTE THE BLAME PROPERLY." "corrupted politicians and overpopulation in Latin-America", is EXACTLY the problem BUT, the US doesn't see it as that.
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And until YOU have lived and worked in the poverty, filth, and profound ignorance of a country, that is NOT, by the way, a THIRD world country, then please do NOT tell me I am wrong. We are ONE WORLD, not three.
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I agree that the Catholic church is a key player. Heck, I was raised that way and rejected it it as an adult, without ever loosing my faith. IF the US can decry God, taking Him out of our schools, out of our Christian holidays, out of the principles of our founding fathers, then Central America can do the same to the extent of being conscious of over population, mixed with a predominately a two class system of the very rich and the very impoverished.
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It's the very, very poor, who seek a better way of life in the US. I will repeat myself: they come here for a very, very, basic reason......it's called survival......as in, food in their stomachs.
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So, I will say, in equal responsibility, SHAME of Central America, and SHAME on the United States and all politicians, for pandering to the neglect and shameful inattention to over population, under-education, and the consequences.
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I don't think you and I are so far apart in our thinking. However, you don't share the same, personal experience that I have had, having lived there in their poverty.
There is a new Federal Law coming in January 2013 that puts both New Mexico and Washington with problems. The government has put into place if a state issues licenses to non verified US people, then TSA will require a passport to get on an airplane using those state ID. Your driver's license will be worthless as ID.
@darkhelmet - Huh?  Point us to some factual details on this.  There are no laws that will require passports just to board an airplane that is travelling with the borders of the US.
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I wish this state would surprise Obama and Support Romney!!!
 @APSWA Who knows...It could go that way, people are getting really tired of how this state is being run. It would be interesting to watch all of my super liberal friends and some of my family freak out if that happened.
@APSWA Find a magic lamp and that is one of your wishes? HaHa.
One more reason I like Rob McKenna!!!
The DOL even put interpreters in the offices to assist the illegal aliens who speak no English. I'd like to know what freaking moron did that? We should also implement proof of insurance to renew your license and your vehicle tabs.
 @bagsofdirt In Canada (where I legally immigrated from!) your tabs and insurance and license plates are all tied into one system. You cannot drive with expired tabs, and to get those tabs you have to provide proof of insurance AND have any and all tickets taken care of as well. It is a great system. It makes it really easy for the police. If you have active tabs, you have insurance and have taken care of any tickets up to the time of the tabs being issued!
 @bagsofdirt Our road signs are in English, so why isn't even a basic understanding of English a requirement to drive?
illegals don't need a drivers license...  they just need a free bus pass...  one way trip back to wherever they came from...
"...it creates safer roads and allows them to purchase insurance."
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LOL...that's a joke...right??
"They have big red letters saying for 'driving privilege only'," Garza said. "Anyone who shows that card - who may or may not be undocumented in the country - is a second class citizen."
WRONG!!! The ONLY people that would have those cards ARE illegal immigrants. And they're not even second-class citizens, they're NOT CITIZENS AT ALL!!!
The bleeding hearts need to find a new hobby....
I am voting for Rob because I like his style.
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 @Tolly371 I'm voting for him also. I'm tired of the nonsense in this state.
So, how many non-citizen, illegal aliens will vote and how many will get into car accidents as drivers in 2012? There ought to be an over/under number and Vegas-style betting line>
Washington State ALREADY DOES IT!
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It is printed in red on the drivers license and says, "Not valid for photo identification". Â I see them all the time.
That's a Washington ID card. Not a drivers license. My mom has one.
I wish more than anything, that we would make them prove citzienship to get on WELFARE... Not just drivers licenses.
@racinchick28 I so agree! If they want to get on welfare, come to the country legally. I have no problem with immigrants, as long as they're legal.
I have a better idea. If you have to be on welfare, don't come to this country.
 @traceywo  @racinchick28 I just get frustrated seeing them with brand new cars when I can't even afford one for myself. Im paying for them to have fancy phones and houses when im struggling to pay my bills and I work full time.Â
Its amazing how every election year brings out problems and lack of leadership, you local sheeple thinks its just a conseqence that crooks, illegals and other low live flock here to live because of the great weather, sometimes keeping the wool over ones eyes works best..
My wife is a LEGAL immigrant who gained her citizenship in 1976 (Bicentennial year) Â by proving that she could read, write, speak and understand English, could show that she legally entered these United States, was an upright and moral person and had two sponsors who would stand up and testify for her. She was sworn in by Henry M. Jackson and still has the flag she was given on that day. I am proud of her and she is proud to be a legal citizen.