PROTECT ARIZONA NOW with I-03-2004 A citizens' initiative to require proof of citizenship to register to vote, photo ID to vote, and proof of eligibility for non-federally mandated public benefits

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News Article   Licenses for illegals a corrupt concept Russell Pearce, East Valley Tribune, special to the Tribune, Sept. 18, 2003   As former director of the Motor Vehicle Division I wrote and lobbied the Legislature in 1996 to require legal presence in the United States before a drivers license or Arizona ID card could be issued.   Arizona should not issue legal documents that have essentially become the credential for identification nationwide for nearly every aspect of government and private business unless we take reasonable steps to prove age and identification. We prove age and identity through documents presented at MVD.   We rely on certain documents, since there are verification processes and training in place. Obviously, relying on foreign-produced documents to prove age and identity is more problematic, since verification of the documents and contents cannot be accomplished as easily, if at all.   Given the importance of verification in these security conscious times and the ever increasing threat of identity theft, we must ensure the safety and welfare of our people. To allow our MVD to issue licenses without verifiable documents proving identity and legal presence in the United States is tantamount to political corruption.   Consequently, verifying age, identity and the legality of presence in the United States under federal law is a critical and reasonable measure, since these credentials are not only used to legally operate a vehicle or board an airplane but in many other everyday government and business transactions that have a tremendous impact on people's lives.   If one is legally in the United States, we accept the driver's license from their country. There are insurance companies that will give you insurance with a foreign license or no license at all.   To fail to verify legal presence is omit a very important step in verifying age and identity, which increases the risk of issuing a credential with false information that may be used for criminal purposes.   If a person broke the law to enter this country, does it make sense to further encourage that behavior by issuing a legal credential based on documents that may be difficult or impossible to verify?   My answer to that question must be "no." As a state representative, I must put the safety and welfare of my constituents first and foremost. It amazes me how hard some work to make illegal immigration attractive and devoid of any consequences.   It is argued that people who are unable to obtain a driver's license will continue to drive anyway. Sadly, that is true of many drivers who meet the authorized presence requirement but who are unable to lawfully obtain a license due to DUIs, reckless driving or other crimes and civil violations. They don't deserve a license and we should not be allowing them to have one until they deserve it "legally."   Consequently, I do not believe we will solve the problem of unlicensed drivers by removing the authorized presence requirements, since we have had that problem ever since the law was created requiring a driver's license. Rather, it is obvious that our real problem is a lack of courage to stand up for the law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants. Instead, some are trying to reward and encourage illegal immigration. I find it insulting to those who obey the law, and shameful for elected officials who have taken an oath of office to uphold and sustain the U.S. Constitution and laws and constitution of Arizona.   State Rep. Russell Pearce , R-Mesa, is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.     Back to news articles

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