There are mixed reviews in Texas after the Texas Department of Public Safety implemented new requirements for immigrants wishing to obtain or renew a driver's license or state identification card.
Under the new requirements, non-citizens must show proof of their legal status. For those immigrants who are granted identification cards, the date that their legal status expires will be printed on the documents. Immigrants who do not have permission to be in the country for more than six months will be denied a license.
"The Public Safety Commission wanted to protect the integrity of the licensing process and enhance the security of licenses and identification cards," said DPS spokeswoman Tela Mange.
Other proponents of the new requirements also expressed their satisfaction.
According to an article on Elpasotimes.com, Texas Governor Rick Perry praised the initiative, saying it would make licenses safer and prevent identity theft.
"Texas is a great place to live and work, and while we welcome legally documented individuals to the Lone Star State, we must ensure that this privilege is not abused by those seeking to enter our country illegally," said the governor.
But opponents of the initiative said it creates a bigger problem than there already is, and will lead to untended consequences that make Texas roads more dangerous.
Kathleen Walker, an immigration attorney in El Paso, said the new requirements are likely to increase the amount of non-citizens who will chose to drive without a driver's license and insurance out of fear of
deportation.
Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy, a coalition of construction companies, also opposes the requirements and has urged Governor Perry to reconsider the initiative.
"This will force more workers further into the shadows. It will not only exacerbate our problems with uninsured drivers. It will make Texas roads unsafe," said Norman Adams, a co-founder of the group.
Other opponents said that printing an immigrant's status on their identification card is a form of discrimination, and will make it much harder for people to conduct business, obtain bank accounts, or find an apartment.
Some opponents went so far as to say that the new requirements are a form of political pandering during the election year.
"(The DPS is) creating de facto immigration policy without the input of the legislators," said State Rep. Norma Chavez (D-El Paso). "Especially legislators that represent the border area and the communities affected.
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