Do you think drivers' licenses should have two boxes? One with Citizen and one with Illegal Alien?

Sgt Kelli Mays — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:50:42 -0400

This way there will not be any question about who is a citizen or not. In Texas, in order to get your Driver's License for the first time, you have to bring your brith certificate...and not a copy...the one with the raised seal and a current bill with you current address (if you are over 18...but under 18 and still in either High School or College, you have to get a form filled out by the school with your school transcript. I think all states should do as Texas...then there will be NO DOUBT whether you are a citizen or not.

After posting, I tried to change the "Illegal" to just "Legal Aliens" but cannot figure out how to make the change.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:59 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:59:10 -0400

I am still an advocate that illegal aliens should not be allowed to get a license.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 22 at 2015 11:02 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:02:00 -0400

Only citizens should have a driver's license from any state. I'm tired of non citizens going to the front of the line. We must take care of our own. Especially our veterans. Even more especially our vets who are homeless or have any form of illness including mental illness. Sorry about the soap box

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 11:05 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:05:49 -0400

Most states I've gotten a license in also require proof of citizenship, either a passport or original birth certificate. Most 18 year olds I know are able to get some pretty convincing fake licenses. I don't think it would really solve anything in the end, unfortunately.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 22 at 2015 11:16 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:16:31 -0400

Ohio accepts a number of documents as proof of identity. Bottom line citizenship should be a requirement for acts of a citizen otherwise there is no incentive to actually go through the process.
If states are required to issue documents then immigration status should be clearly marked.

http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/acceptable_id_documents.stm

ODPS | BMV | Acceptable Identification DocumentsODPS | Bureau of Motor VehiclesODPS | BMV |...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 22 at 2015 11:19 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:19:38 -0400

I think... whatever rules I have to follow for ID - voting, license etc... so too should everyone. I do not believe any illegal alien should have a license, or any other benefits of being citizen unless that have legal status.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 23 at 2015 2:06 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 02:06:48 -0400

I'm not aware that any State allows "Illegal" Aliens to get a License. Now they do Issue Licenses to Legal Aliens that can show proper government documentation that they are here legally. Now here in Kansas City we have a very large Latin American community and a lot of them carry Mexican Government IDs provided by the Mexican Consulate here in Kansas City.

Response by MSG Marcel Guaring made Jul 23 at 2015 2:47 AM

MSG Marcel Guaring — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 02:47:40 -0400

If there were two boxes in the Driver's license, it should have Citizen (By Birth/Naturalized) and permanent resident. If you are here illegally, you should not be entitled the license and all other entitlements that a citizen and a permanent resident are afforded.

Response by MSgt Niclas Svensson made Jul 23 at 2015 2:56 AM

MSgt Niclas Svensson — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 02:56:30 -0400

I agree that illegal immigrants should not be issued a driver's license, but I don't agree with the statement that you need to be a citizen to get a driver's license...legal permanent residents should be able to get a license as well.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 23 at 2015 6:56 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:56:24 -0400

To play devil's advocate.

Creating "hurdles" for getting driver's licenses, promotes an environment ripe for "unlicensed drivers" without insurance.

If you make something unnecessarily difficult, people will avoid doing it, and you will have unforeseen consequences because of that.

That said, I do not like the concept of illegal immigrants, however I do not like the concept of uninsured drivers more. Without a valid drivers license, you cannot get insurance. These are second and third order effects we must consider.

So... here's the question. "Why does someone need to be a CITIZEN to drive within the United States?" Shouldn't possessing the skill to drive an automobile and having documentation to establish identity be enough? We already let non-citizens (Legal Immigrants) get driver's licenses.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2015 12:32 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 00:32:10 -0400

I do not think drivers' licenses should have a box with "citizen" and another with "illegal alien" or "legal alien." There are many types of lawful immigration status's that allow foreigners to enter the United States, such as a student visa. This would create a bureaucratic nightmare for the DMV. The individuals I suspect this forum is referring to is those who have fled their home country and entered into the United States. The majority of these individuals are asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are individuals who fled their home country because their government has harmed or will harm them upon return for one of five protected grounds. It is up to immigration to determine if an individual fits into one of the five protected categories and sort out those who are wrongfully here. My point is that if we start requiring these individuals to apply to have a box checked on their drivers license--when do we determine lawful status-- they will be considered asylum seekers once they enter the U.S. as long as they apply for asylum within a year of entry. Being an asylum seeker makes them non-deportable. Refugee status is determined before the refugee sets foot on American soil. So, during the first year the asylum seeker enters the country is he/she legal or illegal or the purpose of this box? Either way it could be misleading and have terrible consequences for the individuals impacted, law enforcement, and government.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Dec 8 at 2017 11:55 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 11:55:36 -0500

No..illegals should not be granted licenses... period.. !!