The move to grant driver’s licenses to the illegal immigrants was to ensure the safety of the state road and enable security officials to track residents who lived in the shadows. Although the move was regarded as a political strategy, the immigrants advocated the proposal. The congress signed a bill that allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. However, the plan received great criticism from democrats and republicans, as well as lawmakers who argued that it would provide an opening for terrorists. This also made Hillary Clinton, a presidential hopeful to disavow the proposal after waffling on the issue at the presidential debate. Therefore, we will provide arguments against the current rule, which allows illegal immigrants to legally obtain a Washington State Driver’s License.
The issue of whether undocumented aliens should be denied driver’s license has been debated by state legislatures for a decade. For instance the Arizona electorate voted overwhelmingly to ban the issuance of licenses to illegal immigrants, but a federal judge enjoined state leaders from enforcing proposition 200 (Joe 5). Similarly, the Florida Governor Jeb Bush endorsed legislation that would grant illegal immigrant driver’s licenses, but the bill died in the state legislature. The reasons for not granting license privileges gained momentum during the 9/11 event due to the security reasons. Granting aliens, the driver’s license in the Washington State is viewed as a threat to state security (Monica 5). This is so because it makes it simple for criminals to obtain the ID, which can be used for illegal activities.
Although the department of homeland security has authorized states to tighten their policies, verifying the individual’s social security number does not reduce the risk of insecurity. This is so because allowing illegal immigrants to have a driver’s license is not safe in the first place. This is so it makes the illegal immigrant invisible to enforcement authorities.
Similarly, the debate indicates that granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens encourages more illegal aliens into the state. This immigrant end up becoming a burden to the state due to increased living standards and high rate of unemployment (Jennifer 22). The states that limit the privileges to illegal immigrants demonstrate a dramatic reduction in illegal immigration. Similarly, giving driver’s licenses to illegal immigrant in one state poses a greater threat to the other states. This is so because an illegal immigrant could receive this license in one state, take this license in another state, and receive a driver’s license depending on the reciprocity (Miriam 6).
Moreover, this move is fiscally unwise because it is unfair to continue increasing taxes, reduce benefits and mortgage against children’s futures while expanding gains for illegal aliens. The leaders argue that states should abort this proposal because it places a fiscal burden of offering health care, education and other services to illegal immigrants on the taxpayers (John 16). The legislator should not utilize the scarce resources by giving driver’s license to an illegal immigrant who is targeted for immediate deportation. The several supporters of the new rule are under the misguided impression that the states require illegal workers, which is false because there are millions of Americans who are seeking for a job.
Therefore, granting driver’s licenses to illegal aliens will encourage them to stay in the state and continue to work under lower wages. This will affect American workers and yield reduced tax revenue for the state. Although the proposal of granting driver’s license is a move towards immigration reform, it should revoke because it poses a significant threat to the economy and the security of the state.
Works Cited
Jennifer, Ginn. "States Do About-Face On Immigration Legislation."Capitol Ideas 57.1 (2014): 22-23.
Joe, Feuerherd. "Republicans Line Up on Both Sides Of An Illegal Immigrant Drivers Debate." National Catholic Reporter. 41.11 (2010): 5-6. Web.
John, Elvin,. "Hot Issue: Driver's Licenses For Illegals." Insight on the News 19.5 (2010): 16-17.
Miriam, Jordan. "Driver's Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Divide Congress." Wall Street Journal - Eastern Edition 244.110 (2009): 1-7. Web.
Monica, Crowley. "Illegals to Get New York Driver's Licenses." Human Events 63.33 (2007): 1- 8.
