Driver License Proposals in the NC G.A.

April 11, 2013 - PRLog -- CIR Evaluates a Recent Legislative Proposal of Licenses for the Undocumented
Raleigh, NC, April 10, 2013:  As the national debate on immigration moves forward, North Carolina attempts to get ahead of the curve.   Three bills addressing driver’s license for all NC drivers including those who are not documented are forthcoming in the General Assembly.   Interestingly enough they are coming from both sides of the aisle.  Centro Internacional de Raleigh (CIR) agrees that all drivers in North Carolina should be licensed.  The economic and safety advantages of driver’s licenses for all drivers are well recognized.  

Representative Harry Warren filed the Reclaim NC Act (http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncleg.net%2FApplications%2FBillLookUp%2FLoadBillDocument.aspx%3FSessionCode%3D2013%26DocNum%3D3483%26SeqNum%3D0&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNE47jfq_lljC2JHEjVWprJ-bTCorA)  (H.B. 786) which essentially opens the door for certain undocumented NC drivers to obtain a limited driving permit.  Representative Warren and the other bill sponsors seem to be taking seriously the recommendations of the 2012 HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE STATE'S ROLE IN IMMIGRATION POLICY (http://www.ncleg.net/DocumentSites/Committees/HSCSRIP/12-...).  The committee recommended “…increased discussion among entities with economic interest in the issues,… [with] a renewed focus on economic development.”    

CIR is encouraged by the positive change in the national mood and the GOP both nationally and locally.  We believe that the issue of immigration is first and foremost a moral issue as God has called us to welcome the “Stranger.”  While there is a long way to go in resolving the issues surrounding immigration, we believe that H.B. 786 is step in the right direction.  We commend Representative Warren for his leadership in reaching out to stakeholders across the political and ideological spectrum in order to find a compromise that has a chance of success.  We are hopeful that some of the provisions can be improved as this legislation is debated.  

With coming immigration reform we hope the day will come that it will not be so common that local law enforcement will be tasked with determining an individual's immigration status, and be able to focus more of their resources on public safety.  It seems that the crafters of this bill have paid special attention to the Supreme Court’s ruling on SB 1070 with obvious attention to not promote racial profiling or burden law enforcement and immigrants with a “show me your papers” provision.  However, the Supreme Court has said that implementation of such provisions could result in racial profiling and thus being found unconstitutional.  This provision will certainly open the State of North Carolina up to costly litigation.  CIR does not support racial profiling for immigration purposes and remains concerned that in practice this provision will promote such.

Another provision that is particularly concerning is the “Run and Done” provision.   This basically directs law enforcement to seize the automobile of a driver who is undocumented (and does not possess a valid temporary driving permit or a driver whose license has been suspended for DUI, or a person who is driving without insurance) and to sell it at a public auction.    We believe in this provision the punishment is too severe and does not fit the crime.  In addition, people whose cars are being driven by someone else could suffer greatly.

As an organization that works closely with the immigrant community, we see on a daily basis the deleterious effects to the families as a result of not having the ability to legally drive. It is a necessity in our society to have a reliable mode of transport to properly care for one’s family and to become successful, contributing members of a community. All of NC suffers when residents cannot care properly for their own families. With Comprehensive Immigration Reform on the horizon, NC needs to get ahead of the curve in helping members of our communities to come out of the shadows, join with the rest of society, and contribute in positive ways to NC continuing to be a wonderful place to live. History has demonstrated that while many fear new immigrants, immigrants are a revitalizing force, economically and culturally, that keeps our country strong.  A society that honors God is one that looks out for the weak and the vulnerable among us. Immigrants are pointed out in the Bible as a particularly vulnerable group. We feel that driver licenses for all North Carolinians are not only good for NC, but are a step in the right direction to caring for the vulnerable among us.