License bill advances in Senate

Hundreds of Latinos crowded the state Capitol Friday afternoon to lobby lawmakers against a proposal to take away illegal immigrants driver's licenses and instead create a "driving privilege card" — the same day it passed a second reading.

Sen. Curt Bramble's SB227 is likely headed for a final Senate vote next week, after Friday's 18-8 vote.

It would revoke a 1999 law giving illegal immigrants access to Utah drivers' licenses and instead create a permit that couldn't be used for identification for those who use a temporary tax identification number (ITIN), issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Only those with a Social Security number would be eligible for a driver's license.

During Friday's debate, Bramble, R-Provo, referred to an audit that suggested illegal immigrants from other states are using Utah as a port to get drivers' licenses, and that some may be registering to vote.

"Fourteen individuals who were illegal had actually voted," Bramble said. He noted driving is a privilege, not a right.

The Latino protesters packed the Capitol's stairways and lobby, while some waited outside the West Building during and after the debate, sending in notes in hopes of swaying lawmakers against Bramble's bill. But only a few legislators met with them.

Capitol security was beefed up. Bramble and several other lawmakers were escorted to their offices by state troopers after committee meetings that followed Senate floor debate on the bill.

Some of those who came to the Capitol Friday said they'd rather not have a license at all then drive with the card that would single them out. Many expressed concern about racial profiling.

"It's going to affect all our community, all the kids, all the people with this kind of skin," said Miguel Angel, pointing to his arm. Angel and his family had waited for over an hour and still hadn't met a lawmaker.

Acknowledging the Latinos at the Capitol, Bramble noted that some Hispanic leaders had reluctantly supported the bill as a compromise. He was referring to the Utah Hispanic Legislative Task Force, which has raised racial profiling concerns, but said the bill is better than losing illegal immigrants' driving privileges altogether.

Senate Minority Whip Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, said there are "some inherent problems" with the approach of the bill. He said it may cause many people to not want to get a license. "When people are hit by an uninsured motorist, it's much more tragic," Allen said.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, was among those who expressed concern that the illegal immigrants' licenses would look different.

Bramble said "this doesn't single out illegal aliens and say you only get this card if you are illegal."