Former Counterterrorism Czar Supports NY Proposal to Allow Undocumented Immigrants to Be Eligible for Driver’s Licenses

The N.Y. Times reports today that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, whose plan to grant undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses has encountered widespread opposition, announced yesterday that Richard A. Clarke, the former White House counterterrorism czar, had endorsed the proposal. In a news conference at New York University, Governor Spitzer highlighted Mr. Clarke’s support as he sought to allay concerns that the proposal would make it easier for criminals or even prospective terrorists to obtain government identification. Mr. Clarke, who did not appear at NYU, issued a statement, which stated in part, that “From a law enforcement and security perspective, it is far preferable for the state to know who is living in it and driving on its roads, and to have their photograph and their address on file, than to have large numbers of people living in our cities whose identity is totally unknown to the government.”

As I have written previously, I believe that Spitzer and Clarke are right.  From a public safety standpoint, how could it make any sense to deny undocumented immigrants eligibility for a driver’s license?  Don’t we want a record of who is living here and where they live?  Don’t we want to ensure that all drivers on the road are safety-tested and have insurance?  Allowing undocumented immigrants to be eligible for driver’s licenses is in the interests of U.S. citizens as well as immigrants.

KJ