Another bite at the illegal aliens' apple? Bad bill for Gov. Barnes, lawmakers

October 28, 2002

CHECK ON SLF'S HOME PAGE TO FIND THE PETITION

ATLANTA: The Southeastern Legal Foundation today announced a web-based Petition for No Driver's Licenses for Illegal Aliens in Georgia at www.southeasternlegal.org in anticipation of at least one legislative attempt by the upcoming Georgia General Assembly to consider extending driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

Southeastern Legal Foundation's efforts during the 2002 legislative session resulted in the withdrawal of State Rep. Mary Hodges Squires' (D-Gwinnett) bill to extend driver's licenses to illegals, as well as the tabling of a similar bill by State Rep. Barbara Mobley (D-Decatur). Mobley has indicated she intends to drop a similar bill for consideration in the upcoming 2003 General Assembly.

"Based on polling data in Georgia and across the nation, we know that the majority of citizens, as well as the majority of legal immigrants, oppose extending driver's licenses to illegal aliens," said Phil Kent, SLF President. "Just as SLF last session raised legal and national security concerns about driver's licenses for illegal aliens, we intend to do so again - demonstrating that the majority of Georgians support strict enforcement of our nation's immigration laws and oppose stealth 'legalization' for illegal aliens."

The SLF interactive Petition calls on Governor Roy Barnes and members of the General Assembly to reject driver's licenses for illegals, vigorously enforce current federal immigration law in cooperation with federal authorities, and assure that Georgia government will not approve by law the act of illegal immigration. The following points are raised in the Petition:

* There are hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens in Georgia in direct violation of federal immigration law;

* Any illegal alien applying for a driver's license is admitting that he or she is her in violation of federal law;

* A driver's license serves as the "key to the kingdom" of citizenship - allowing the opening of bank accounts and other activities, a privilege for which Georgia legal residents must provide Social Security numbers, fingerprints, and a cursory background check - burdens not shared by illegal aliens.

* Four states currently offering driver's licenses to illegals are reconsidering such measures in light of overwhelming and costly administrative burdens and national security concerns. California Gov. Gray Davis (a Barnes ally) recently vetoed a license bill, citing national security concerns and strong public opposition to the measure.

"Driver's licenses are a key to the radical Hispanic lobby working toward amnesty for all illegals," said Kent. "Here in Georgia, we've seen the General Assembly attempt it, we've seen the courts in Hall County attempt to mandate that illegals should serve on juries, we've seen DeKalb County allow illegals to use Mexican consular ID's to obtain government services, and we've seen Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles' personnel indicted for fraud for giving licenses to illegals for a fee. It must stop, and it will be stopped."

"A dangerous but little-known fact is that, under the federal motor voter statute, there is nothing to prevent anyone who possesses a driver's license from registering to vote," said Kent. "There are dozens of elections across the nation that have been plagued by illegals who vote, a constitutional right reserved exclusively for citizens."

CHECK ON SLF'S HOME PAGE TO FIND THE PETITION

For More Information Contact:
Media Relations
media@southeasternlegal.org
(404) 365-8500