New York drops driver's license plan that could include undocumented immigrants

“When an alien resides with you in your land, do not
molest him. You shall treat the alien who resides with
you no differently than the natives born among you;
have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too
were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am you
God.” (Lev. 19:33-34)


(CBS/AP) New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday he was abandoning a plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, but said that the federal government had "lost control" of its borders and left states to deal with the consequences.

"I have concluded that New York state cannot successfully address this problem on its own," Spitzer said at a news conference, flanked by members of the state's Congressional delegation.

Spitzer said overwhelming public opposition led to his decision.

The governor introduced the plan with the goal of increased security, safer roads and an opportunity to bring immigrants "out of the shadows." Opponents charged Spitzer would make it easier for would-be terrorists to get identification, and make the country less safe. Many New Yorkers agreed with them.

Debate over the issue spilled over into the presidential campaign after Clinton stumbled at a Democratic presidential candidate debate in her response to a question about the plan for illegals in the state she represents.

Last month, Spitzer had sought to salvage the license effort by striking a deal with the Department of Homeland Security to create three separate types of state driver's licenses: one "enhanced" that will be as secure as a passport; a second-tier license good for boarding airplanes; and a third marked not valid for federal purposes that would be available to illegal immigrants and others.

Sen. Clinton has been criticized by her Democratic rivals for her non-committal answers on the subject. She has said she sympathizes with governors like Spitzer forced to confront the issue because the federal government has failed to pass immigration reforms. She has not taken a position on the actual plan offered by Spitzer.