Five illegal immigrants are suing the state of Oregon because they are displeased with the turnout of a vote as to whether or not we should grant illegals licenses. Their claim is that granting them licenses would make it easier for them to find jobs. However, that is not a valid argument since they do not legally have these jobs in the first place. Thirty-five of the thirty-six counties in Oregon voted against allowing illegal immigrants to obtain a U.S license. Some people are claiming that the vote passed by Oregon is a racial matter but that’s not entirely fair since we have nothing to compare it to. It just so happens that the majority of illegal immigrants happen to be from Mexico or Central America.
If these people are here working hard and paying sales and property taxes why shouldn’t they be allowed to drive? Because illegal immigration isn’t a victimless crime. Currently, the amount of money they pay does not cover the amount that they take (Seminal study of the costs of immigration by the National Academy of Sciences). Most of this is from schooling young children all the way up until graduation. Of course these people are trying to make a life for themselves, plus they benefit legal Americans by working for a lower price but that gap in pay continues to get smaller.
If Oregon had granted illegal immigrants licenses, it would have been an inconsistency in our system. We have laws set in place for a reason and until they are changed, we can not provide illegals with more rights.
From reading apart the first sentence, the audience is for the people of Oregon but also can inform with other states that have related issues. Such as Texas can relate. What I came to understanding is that Azure writes in oppose for immigrants to have licenses.
ReplyDeleteFrom the point of view of the immigrants they noted that from the article that it was a racial issue. Although Azure makes a true point that, “[B]ut that’s not entirely fair since we have nothing to compare it to.”
Here are some more quotes to view on the illegal immigrants side:
“[I]llegal immigration isn’t a victim-less crime.”
“[T]hese people are here working hard and paying sales and property taxes”
“[T]hese people are trying to make a life for themselves...”
I think that having a driver licenses for illegal immigrants is the same thing as having a State I.D.. Even though it’s not a constitutional right to have a driver’s license it’s still a document with important information about the individual. Also, without a driver license it’s easy to assume that they don’t have life insurance. If they get into a car accident the victim would have to pay for the damages.
Simple solution: If an illegal immigrant needs a driver's license, they should have correct documentation of showing that they came over illegally. Not necessarily a resident, but came to the United States legally. Because if they came legally and they have a driver’s license from their own country that should be valid enough to renew their license to the country that they are visiting or living in.
So I agree with Azure on their point for illegal immigrants to not have drivers license. Although this may be most likely the minority answer since there are other states that do give illegal immigrants driver's license.
There was no source of the article but if you are wondering the issue of the topic is discussed by Robert Shaffer, of fox news, Illegal immigrants sue Oregon over ballot measure denying licenses.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Azure’s stance on her blog post “Right to Drive”. As long as they are working and paying taxes they should be able to get a driver’s license BUT they are here illegally so that doesn’t really apply to them. I think it would be a different case if they were immigrants here on a visa because they would have the correct documentation to receive a driver’s license.
You also made a really good point at the end about the government maintaining consistency. The government has to make sure that they are applying the same rules and laws equally in all fifty states. The government has these rules and laws to help ensure that 1) people are safe 2) everyone will have equal rights.
Now because they are illegal immigrants there are some limitations that do apply to them and even though some of them like not getting a driver’s license. Also with the voting turnout that you mentioned in the beginning, if they are illegal immigrants they don’t have any right to vote. In order to vote in the state, you must be a registered voter and a LEGAL citizen of the United States. With that being said it really much makes their argument invalid.
You can’t break the law and come to the United States illegally and expect to receive the same rights as legal citizens.