Design of NC Driver's Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Stirs Controversy

'NO LAWFUL STATUS' and a bright pink stripe appear at the top

The proposed design of a new driver's license to be issued next month to some illegal immigrants in North Carolina is causing controversy. It will have a bright pink stripe across the top and say "NO LAWFUL STATUS" in bold.

Immigrants brought into the country illegally as children, who now qualify for a federal program allowing them to stay and work, could be stigmatized by the design, said the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina.

"North Carolina should not be making it harder for aspiring citizens to integrate and contribute to our communities by branding them with a second-class driver's license," ACLU attorney Raul Pinto told the Associated Press. "There is simply no reason for officials to stigmatize people who are in the U.S. legally with an unnecessary marker that could lead to harassment, confusion, and racial profiling."

The Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program grants valid federal work permits to qualified applicants brought to the U.S. as children without legal authorization. Since the program began in June, states have grappled with how and whether to issue driver's licenses to those granted legal presence, the AP reports.

Via the Associated Press

Should the licenses say "No Lawful Status" and have a bright pink stripe on them?

[DARSB]

Wait a minute. Since "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program grants valid federal work permits to qualified applicants" then they do have "lawful status".

The pink stripe is hardly necessary though: does North Carolina have nothing better to spend its money on than an entirely new document?

[jessejaymes]

"yank" makes the point that without the strip they could vote and transfer license to any state. Your rebuttal? I haven't decided. I'd like to hear from both sides.

[JoinCCA]

Yeah, if they are a qualified applicant of the DACA program technically they do have lawful status. Damn, I'm on the fence with this one.

[Food4thoughts]

@jessejaymes When your license is suspended it doesn't show up on your physical license...but it does appear in a nationwide data base and that prevents you from going to another state and undermining that suspension...same could be applied to illegal's with driving privileges.

[jessejaymes]

@Food4thoughts OK you make a fair point there. How you getting around the idea that a non tagged DL will allow them to register and vote?

[Food4thoughts]

@jessejaymes
The same way some states prevent felons from voting

[Knightkore]

Why not?

[martydotcom]

Either you're legal or not. There is no gray area.

[Food4thoughts]

But there's a pink area...

[Medicinebow]

@Food4thoughts Layoff slips?

[Food4thoughts]

@Medicinebow
I don't think illegals get layoff slips they just don't get picked up from Home Depot in the morning...

[Food4thoughts]

@Food4thoughts
That was racist...I apologize.

[Medicinebow]

@Food4thoughts My poor attempt at humor. I was referring to the possible pink slips that may be coming out with sequestration. Apparently bad things come in pink.

[Rocker]

Why not. My work name tag has different color stripes for access authorization and skill identification. It's a visual thing.

[Sonny]

Yes...But does it also say on it anywhere...."No Lawful Status"...I'll bet that somehow it doesn't...

[Rocker]

@Sonny - LOL, Only if you get caught where you aren't supposed to be.

[marine1]

@Rocker Why not let the truth ALWAYS be known

[stepped_in_it]

@Sonny Welp, the security clearance work sites I've worked at did have your security clearance status on it plus color differences! Allowed for visual and legibility of your "status". This, in my opinion, is nothing more than appeasement of illegals.....HMMM.... how about our government appease me a little, I did pay mucho impuestos es ano!!

[Yank]

With a normal ID they could vote and get a DL in other states.

[dances-weebles]

having a drivers license has nothing to do with one's being able to vote. if it did, then many folks could never vote because they've never had a drivers license. and why shouldn't someone be able to transfer their drivers license to any other state... i'm missing your point here.

[Yank]

@dances-weebles because not all states allow illegal immigrants to have a DL, and many states (like MN) only require a valid government issued ID and proof of residency in the district to vote.

[dances-weebles]

@Yank again, why would one's immigrant status even come up when applying for a driving license? it makes no difference as to their ability to drive.

[jessejaymes]

@Yank Almost every state (maybe all of them) have a non driver's identification card as well. He's just blowing smoke because he favors unlimited, unrestricted immigration.

[Yank]

@dances-weebles because in most states a DL is not offered to illegal immigrants, and driving is a privilege that is also not offered to illegal immigrants?

[Food4thoughts]

If we're not actively deporting anyone whats the point to point out that they're illegal? I agree with the article it just sets up for discrimination (whether warranted or not is another story)

[Realthinker]

I'm real tired of all these efforts to pretend illegal immigrants are something they are not.
The Democrats have set the molasses pie of the welfare state on the open window sill on purpose, to attract more votes for themselves.Then they have the gall to demand the American people pay for it without complaining!

[dances-weebles]

could you please explain that?

[Realthinker]

@dances-weebles No. It's clear.

[wonka45ACP]

A few republicans are on that wagon train also.

[dances-weebles]

@Realthinker no... it isn't.

[seedtick]

If a person is an Illegal Alien, they should not be able to fly under the radar. The first thing we need is to identify them. IMHO...they should not get any legal document until they first go before a court or other legal authority and declare themselves, pay a fine, and have a background check. Then, and only then, we can have some idea of who they actually are. A drivers license in most states today has an information strip on it. A police officer or other official can swipe the license and immediately know more about the person..ie; Identity to see if you have warrants or insurance. We don't know anything about these illegal aliens' past histories. They can immediately become "legal" to do many things with a drivers license.
Look, I bought a new vehicle in Sept. 2011. I paid for it with cash and tradein. I was required to furnish a drivers license and proof of insurance just so I could register it and be allowed to drive away in it. Illegal aliens should not be able to do this. They should not be able to drive at all.

[AntiPorcheria]

Question: Why is a government agency issuing drivers licenses to persons that are in this country ILLEGALLY? Doesn't the ILLEGAL part kind of get in the way a bit?

[dances-weebles]

no. it has nothing to do with getting a license

[AntiPorcheria]

@dances-weebles - My point. It's ironic that you can be "illegal", paying no taxes, sending money back to Mexiwherever and still get assistance from our government. Of course, THEN the government cries that we have no money and here comes the fiscal cliff and what do we do about immigration.

Heffalumps and Jackasses both need to pull their heads out and take a breath.

[dances-weebles]

@AntiPorcheria as an example, i know a man who moved from brasil to chicago with his family and lived there for almost 14 years. he never once asked for a dime in welfare. he worked, first as an investment consultant, and then as a sales rep for a major retailer. he proudly paid all his taxes, and social security... all of which is money thrown away as he'll never realise one penny of it. a few years ago his oldest daughter moved back to brasil, and the rest of the family soon followed.

and there is no winnet ridden 'fiscal cliff' that's nothing more than just one more political buzz phrase like 'slippery slope' or 'smoking gun'. they are meant to stoke your paranoia. it seems to be working, too.

[AntiPorcheria]

@dances-weebles - LOL. I was with you up to the dig at the end.

It's only paranoia when it's NOT happening.

Certainly there will be anecdotal, unsubstantiated stories (such as your family de Brasil), but much more substantiated are those that are a burden on the current taxpayers.

Either make them legal or quit serving them. But stoking both sides of a fire just makes the wood burn quicker.

[dances-weebles]

@AntiPorcheria well, the difference is that i believe that any person standing on u.s. soil deserves exactly the same rights, including all medical and educational benefits paid 100% by the federal gov't.

the truth is, however, that very few of the hundreds of thousands of immigrants, both 'legal' and 'illegal' are drawing any sort of public assistance, and the percentage of those who are involved in committing any sort of crime is actually miniscule.

the best way to make immigrants legal is to simply allow them to walk across the borders any time they please and get a job, settle down and raise a family. problem solved.

[FollowTheMoney]

No lawful status...except to have a drivers licence. Their killing me.

[xyz]

The illegals should consider themselves lucky that we would even consider giving them licenses. "no legal status" and a pink stripe is more than they deserve.

[wonka45ACP]

I don't think 'WE THE PEOPLE" have a choice in the matter!

[mwr]

outstanding! NC just got added to my possible retirement options!!!

[mudpike]

No lawful status & illegal likely means 'no insurance'. If they can afford a car - they can afford to be on the tax rolls paying into the country they have chosen.

[dances-weebles]

what does one's migrant status got to do with car insurance. not only that, but having a license doesn't necessarily mean that one owns a car. i have an international driving license, a nys driving license and a brasilian driving license, but i don't own any sort of motor vehicle anywhere. i

it also has nothing to do with if or not they pay taxes.

[mudpike]

@dances-weebles - Then why issue them a driver's license if they don't need it. They are ILLEGAL , they sneak, they hide,- what da heck do they need ID for ? Does anyone even look at the 'increased crime rate' in heavily populated illegal alien areas ? They don't need ID , usually they pretend not to understand anything in English . Why , what are they doin here if they don't want to become American citizens ? Oh yeah , free handouts at the real American's tax-dollar expense.

[dances-weebles]

@mudpike oooh... they sneak and they hide. wow! you realise, don't you, that even if you don't own a car you do drive on occasion... right?

oh, and do you remember me telling about the family who lived in chicago? both of the guy's daughters are english teachers who speak the language probably better than you do.

[mudpike]

@dances-weebles - What are you talking about ? That isn't my complete post . Either I'm missing something or you need to set down that glass pipe, Bro .

[dances-weebles]

@mudpike you're not missing anything. i simply ignored your stereotypical statement regarding crime rates. do you really believe that the majority of people who cross our borders are involved in crime? the percentage of those who are is miniscule.

[marine1]

I do not believe that they should have any legal standings in any states if they are not in the country llegally. It's a pandoras box that will not close well

[dances-weebles]

it's discriminative and demeaning. a person's migrant status is nobody's business. why should they have something on the license which allows everyone who sees it to be able to discriminate against them?

[mimi57]

It is if they're here illegally, Weeble.

[dances-weebles]

@mimi57 you have absolutely no need to know any individual's immigrant status. please explain why it would mean anything to you. would you treat them any differently? would you refuse them service, or food and shelter?

[mimi57]

@dances-weebles Would I personally?...No, your talking to someone who rescues
animals and puts spiders outside. That said, they are here illegally, they should not
be encouraged to stay here illegally. Let them take the proper steps for legalization,
then they will be welcome and be a legal citizen...see, sweetie?(:

[dances-weebles]

@xyz hmmm. do you feel all better now?

[mimi57]

If they have "No Lawful Status", how are they able to get a driver's license and why
should they have one?! This stirs controversy...there should be no controversy, they
should not have a license.

[Vance1]

100% agree

[BossTweed]

If we were self loathing enough to let them settle here illegally and we must give them all the benefits of citizenship. And, pay dearly by reducing quality of public education and availability of health care as our just desserts. Try driving in Mother Mexico without legal I.D or a right to be in Mexico..........if you dare!

[NTBFW]

Since they are illegal they should be glad to even get a DL. I can't understand why they are getting them.

[sfoooo]

let me say this first. Do I believe that all illegal immigrants should become legal yes but yesterday I experienced something with an illegal (thinking he was I live in Saint Louis... the roads we're treacherous. I was stuck on the highway for an hour. 3 Mexicans... 1 who could not speak English pulled me out. Noy one American even offered 2 help me!!!

[wonka45ACP]

some taliban members might help you also, do we want them here also?

[mimi57]

I've met some wonderful Mexican people, and that was great of them to help you,
I think we've gotten a little skeptical when it comes to helping others sometimes. However, a few winters ago, I was in a hurry and pulled into Kohl's parking lot, I
hit a snow bank, got stuck and was under my car trying to dig myself out with my
freezing hands...lol..but, there were probably six or more people who stopped, a
really cute Air Force guy and a freind, pulled me out by putting a chain on his pick-up
truck, but everyone was so kind, it was freezing cold and people were advised to stay home. Smart, huh?... LOL

[sfoooo]

@wonka45ACP you're talking apples and oranges I don't think the Taliban is going to try to get a US citizenship. we all know we're talking about Mexicans in this forum

[sfoooo]

@mimi57 yes it was very nice of them. I was leaving work yesterday when this happened. It just kind of aggravated me that there were no people like you and I that helped me they just drove by and looked.and I wasn't the only 1 that they helped.. they were helping everyone that was stuck

[wonka45ACP]

@sfoooo So do you think taliban members are not in this country as an illegal!

[justapirate]

I think every state should have this wonderful plan. Advertise it everywhere. And when the ILLEGALS come in to get their license LOCK 'EM UP!!!!!!

[whataGOVwehave]

Yet another reason for them to just come on over....very sad. Driving while illegally in a country is also illegal.

[miketost]

Great idea.Makes it hard to vote with that on your ID.Im really surprised this idea was not started in Chicago Illinois or a state like California in order to protect the ballot box.

[scotta]

Illegal is illegal. The marking on the licenses stating the through