From U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Chairman of U.S. House Immigration Reform Caucus

December 3, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMID SECURITY CONCERNS, TANCREDO CALLS ON GOVERNORS TO TIGHTEN LICENSE PROCESS

WASHINGTON, DC: U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) was joined by two of his colleagues, Reps. Steve Largent (R-OK) and Nathan Deal (R-GA), in addressing a letter to all fifty United States Governors asking them to follow the lead of South Carolina and not issue reciprocal driver's licenses to illegal immigrants from the states of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.

"Don't reward illegal immigrants!" Tancredo said. "This should not be an issue, these individuals have broken our laws and they should not be given the privileges of our society. They should be sent home."

The letter points out that a driver's license can be the key to full participation in our society by granting its holder the presumption of citizenship. The four states listed above all issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, arguing that it makes the roadways in their states safer. It also noted that three of the terrorists involved in the September 11 attacks on America illegally obtained licenses from one of these states.

While many states have a policy of giving "reciprocity" to applicants who hold a valid driver's license from another state, the South Carolina Attorney General recently instructed his state's Department of Public Safety to stop this practice for the states that issue licenses to illegal immigrants.

Phil Kent, President of Southeastern Legal Foundation, is quoted in the letter saying that for a state to issue a driver's license to an illegal alien it "waives criminal background checks and identity documents, including birth certificates and Social Security numbers, required by U.S. citizens."

"I hope that forty-six states remember what is at stake in today's security climate," Tancredo concluded.

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