New York Governor Eliot Spitzer raised some eyebrows today when he handed a landmark victory to a half-million illegal immigrants and at the same time handed potential terrorists an easy source of identification.
The state will no longer require proof of citizenship for driver's licenses."We're changing our policy with respect to getting more people out of shadows and into the system so people don't hide they're here," Spitzer said.
He said the current restrictions on non-citizens have filled the roads with unlicensed drivers five times more likely to get into accidents. But the also called it a matter of justice.
"As long as I'm governor we won't pretend they don't exist, cut them off from society," Spitzer said.
The action triggered a bitter response from some 9/11 family members, who said the governor would be providing identification for potential terrorists.
It also drew the scorn of some Republican lawmakers from NewYork. Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-N.Y., said the new policy “undermines the preventive measures that protect our country from national security threats. The September 11, 2001 hijackers had at least 35 licenses,which helped them to rent cars and open bank accounts.”
“This policy encourages people to flood New York State and wreck havoc on our social services, schools, and hospitals,” he added.
Labels: Eliot Spitzer, Illegal Immigrants, Randy Kuhl
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned today after being told he'd likely be impeached for his involvement with a high-dollar hooker and the expensive call-girl service with which she was linked. The scandal that brought the former New York attorney general to his knees erupted when documents linking him to the prostitution ring were leaked to New York newspapers. Spitzer, a Democrat, built his career as a crusader against all things criminal and immoral; today, he admitted he'd failed his own test.
