The controversy over illegal immigration hit a high in March of last year when Alfred Ramos killed two girls on Shore Drive while driving under the influence. Ramos was an undocumented Mexican immigrant, causing the national media and public to debate this as a matter of illegal immigration.
The problem, though, is not that Ramos was undocumented. The problem is that he was a drunk driver—a problem repeated by legal US citizens. Regardless, the debate over this issue was heightened further by New York’s recent announcement that it will require undocumented immigrants to be licensed.
Eight states already require undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. Of those seven, only Utah provides a license without requiring a social security number. Utah issues a driving privilege card which allows the holder to drive, but it cannot be used for identification.
Granting immigrants this type of driver’s license would require they be educated in the rules of the road, thereby reducing insurance rates and making the road safer. As in Utah, licenses should not be used as identification, but rather to allow the privilege of driving.
This system would not require a social security number, reducing identity theft. It would also allow the government to monitor immigrants, something we should all want.
Some argue allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain licenses contributes to the allure of illegal immigration. But the measures that would be required to “seal the borders” are entirely too great to logistically employ. There’s no way to completely stop illegal immigration without drastic measures, such as 100 percent inspection of incoming cargo and military presence at the borders, both of which would most likely be met with backlash from the American public.
Border security is still a matter of concern, and heavy reform of the immigration policy is still needed. But any means to monitor the immigrants already in the country should of course be taken. New York’s mandate requiring immigrants to have driver’s licenses and insurance is a step in the right direction. Immigrants can be monitored and, using a tiered system like in Utah, they will still not be able to use the licenses as identification.
Either we require immigrants to hold licenses, or they’ll continue to drive without one. Which do you think is really safer?
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