Three left-wing members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives announced they intend to introduce a bill to give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.
State Representatives Danilo Burgos, Joe Hohenstein, and Chris Rabb, all Philadelphia Democrats, asserted that unlawful U.S. residents should be able to obtain driving licenses or learners’ permits if they can establish to authorities their real names and dates of birth. They say acceptable documents to prove identity include passports, consular identification papers, marriage licenses, divorce records, or adoption certificates.
The lawmakers couched the issue in terms of fairness and economic efficiency.
“In today’s fast paced world, a driver’s license is essential to secure employment, travel safely, and live a dignified existence,” Burgos wrote in a memorandum on the legislation. “Unfortunately, countless undocumented persons are unable to apply for a driver’s license in Pennsylvania because they do not have the required Social Security Number. These individuals make vital contributions to our economy but lack the equal protections and basic rights that the rest of us enjoy.”
Burgos, Hohenstein and Rabb also touted their proposal for what they believe will be its salutary effect on public safety. They anticipated its enactment would mean fewer unlicensed and uninsured motorists driving Pennsylvania roads. They added they expect it will make many illegal immigrants involved in accidents more comfortable cooperating with police.
At least until three special elections are held next year, Republicans outnumber Democrats in the State House 101-99. But even after the Democrats likely gain those three vacant seats and control the agenda in the lower chamber, chances of the Burgos-Hohenstein-Rabb bill passing are especially remote in the Senate, in which Republicans have a 28-22 majority.
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Bradley Vasoli is managing editor of The Pennsylvania Daily Star. Follow Brad on Twitter at @BVasoli. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Danillo Burgos (Left)” by Danillo Burgos. Photo “Joe Hohenstein (Center)” by Joe Hohenstein. Photo “Chris Rabb (Right)” by Chris Rabb. Background Photo “Pennsylvania Capitol” by Dough4872. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Why are democrats giving driving licenses to illegals when they are illegal criminals breaking our laws by coming in illegally. democrats should be for the 350 million real citizens in this country. It is not our problem these illegals can’t drive to get a job and can’t live a comfortable life in this country. They are illegal criminals by being here. They are citizens of foreign countries not citizens of this country. By breaking our laws they shouldn’t be allowed to be treated like citizens let alone become citizens. Our citizens are supposed to be people coming in legally and not breaking our laws right off the bat. Why are democrats so pro illegals and hate born here and came in legally citizens. Where is this disgusting hate of our citizens coming from. We need a democrat capable of explaining this hate of citizens to us citizens.
Are. These people on drugs? Giving ILLEGAl immigrants who have not been vetted, no background checks, etc so they can “ find jobs, etcetera”… are you hearing yourselves? Absolutely NOT.
This is a ploy to get illegals in the voting line. Of course that is the reason our current administration continues to turn a blind eye to what is really happening and the Democrats are creating it. Wake up people.
I wouldn’t object to allowing non-citizens LEGALLY in the US for extended periods of time to obtain a driver’s license that expires the same day as their visa.
The ONLY thing that should be provided to someone ILLEGALLY in the US is compulsory transportation out of the US.
If they’re illegal, why make it easier for them???
See CA model
Philadelphia is becoming the crime and murder capital of the country. Why would the sane residents of this great city re-elect any of these three reps to the State legislature?
Any form of identification is the first step to allowing illegals to vote. That’s the end goal here, not the fact they’ll be able to get from point A to point B better.
Wow – Democrats are so virtuous, so self-righteous, go generous with other people’s money that there’s just no limit to that they’ll give away.
Every morning I awake, face Washington, DC, and bow from the ankles toward my intellectual and moral superiors in that fetid, festering swamp of theft and corruption — especially the 500+ federal agencies and departments of Big Govt. They’re the greatest.
The fundamental purpose of govt is to protect us from force and fraud – now Big Govt is the source of both.
The fundamental purpose of a free press is to protect us from govt. Now the press is complicit in Big Govt corruption.
Can we ever reverse this mess? Even a little?