Driver's license bill a good compromise

The worst part about the immigration debate is the shortage of factual information. The rhetoric is often fueled by emotion and suspicion, which is largely unproductive. Depending upon the source, illegal immigrants are either the underpinning of the American economy or they are a drain on public resources. Credit those who undertake research to determine the facts behind these issues. Credit is due to Utah Senate President John Valentine for requesting a legislative audit to determine how many illegal immigrants have obtained Utah drivers' licenses, how many used the licenses to register to vote and whether they actually cast ballots. The audit, conducted by the legislative auditor, determined that more than 58,000 Utah drivers' licenses and 37,000 identification cards have been issued by the state to people who appear to be undocumented immigrants. Among them, 383 license holders registered to vote and 14 cast ballots, although some may be naturalized citizens who were eligible to vote.

Nonetheless, the audit showed abuses of Utah's driver's license law, which is highly disconcerting. But as this page has advocated many times, nothing will be solved by prohibiting the state from granting driving privileges to illegal immigrants. A driver's license helps to ensure that drivers insure their vehicles and have a basic understanding of Utah's traffic safety laws, and they enable the state to have a record of illegal immigrants in Utah.

However, there is now evidence that Utah licenses may have been used for illegal or fraudulent purposes. A new approach is needed.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, has introduced legislation that will create a new category of driver's license — a "driving privilege card." It could not be used for identification or to board an airplane, and it would have to be renewed annually. Currently, a driver's license must be renewed every five years. The "driving privilege card" would have a different appearance than a Utah driver's license. Bramble's bill envisions stamping it with the words "FOR DRIVING PRIVILEGES ONLY — NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION." The cost of the card has not yet been determined.

Although the debate on this approach is just unfolding, this appears to be a reasonable compromise. It addresses traffic safety concerns while clamping down on the potential for illegal use of drivers' licenses. It appears that Bramble has struck a delicate balance.

This is a far better approach than to refuse to grant drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants because many of them would drive anyway. Statistically speaking, motorists are at a substantially higher risk of being involved in a motor-vehicle accident than being the victim of terrorism. Bramble's bill, SB227, makes public safety a high priority while strictly limiting the use of the card for driving. This is a sensible approach to a controversial and complex issue and it deserves full consideration by the Utah Legislature.