Isn't it about time?

Texas just put into effect a new Department of Public Safety rule. People who are not citizens of the U.S. must prove they are here legally before they can get a drivers license or state ID card. Under the new "guidelines" (that word makes me nervous -- seems to give them wiggle room, doesn't it), DPS will not issue or renew licenses or ID cards for any immigrant who is here illegally or who has overstayed his residency. A person trying to come to this country legally has to jump through hoops you just wouldn't believe, yet up until now an illegal could just walk up and get a drivers license. Now I ask you, why hasn't this "guideline" been instituted long ago? Isn't it just common sense?

Here's the part of the new rule I don't agree with. If an illegal shows up to get a license or ID card, they will not be turned in to authorities. They will just be denied the license. Why? If they are here illegally, aren't they breaking the law? Isn't the Department of Public Safety a law enforcement agency? Aren't they derelict in their duty if they let a lawbreaker walk out of their offices with no consequences?

State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer says the rule will negatively impact citizens. He says that without drivers licenses, illegal immigrants won't be forced to get insurance on their vehicles. How many illegals do you suppose have insurance anyway? And we could certainly alleviate that problem if we sent them all back! Senor Fischer says that the rule is "an attempt to isolate and single out a class of individuals for no legitimate law enforcement purpose." Duh! Aren't they lawbreakers just by being here?

Up until this rule took effect, anyone could get a drivers license with a foreign passport and a visa -- even an expired visa. If other states had had this new rule and enforced it, the men who orchestrated 9/11 would have had a harder time doing what they did -- they had valid drivers licenses despite being in this country illegally. What kind of ID does it take to get on a domestic flight? ------ A drivers license!

Here we are seven years after 9/11, 30% of Texas households speak no english, the most popular name for new babies in Texas is Jose, and we're just now getting around to this? Don't you think it's about time?

"Immigrants must prove status legal." The Dallas Morning News; October 10, 2008; p. 1A.