A RESOLVED SUBMITTED BY
LEGISLATORS RANZENHOFER, MILLS, & KONST

WHEREAS, On Friday, September 21. 2007. Governor Eliot Spitzer issued an Executive order announcing that New York State would start allowing illegal immigrants who have a valid foreign passport to obtain a New York State driver’ a license, and

WHEREAS, According to the Governor, New York State has between 500,000 and I million illegal immigrants residing within our borders, and

WHEREAS, At least one dozen counties throughout New York State have refused to implement the Governor’s plan, citing security concerns as their primary reason for refusal, and

WHEREAS, County Clerks, who legally act as agents of the state in operating Department of Motor Vehicle offices, argue that Spitzer’s new program provides no way of verifying a license applicant’s permanent address, it eliminates the requirement that an applicant provide a social security number to verify their true identity, and it reverses the current policy that was enacted as a security measure months after the terrorist attacks on September 11,2001, and

WHEREAS, having a state policy that rewards illegal immigrants with equal and easier access to drivers licenses is bad for the security of every day New Yorkers, and Erie County residents, and it potentially violates Federal Law that prevents County Clerks from knowingly providing government identification to Legal aliens, and

WHEREAS, if this policy is enacted as Governor Spitzer has ordered New York State will become a haven for illegal aliens, a change that will place great pressure on local municipalities budgets and resident’s security, and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, That the Erie County Legislature goes on record opposing the implementation of Governor Spitzer’s plan to allow illegal aliens to obtain New York State driver’s licenses and encourages the Governor to rescind his proposal on. behalf of the security of current New York State residents, particular!y international border communities, and be it further

RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be presented to New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts, Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul and the Association of New York State County Clerks

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