Governor's Column - November 30
by Governor Matt Blunt
No Missouri Driver Licenses for Illegal Aliens
People from all over the globe come to our great nation to share our freedoms, and Missourians embrace the contributions that lawful immigration makes to our society. But our love of freedom does not have to come at the expense of the rule of law.
Illegal immigration is a serious problem in our country and state. It is not only an assault on the sanctity of our laws but -- in a post 9/11 world -- a potential threat to the safety of our citizens. Missourians have been waiting on Washington to take action on illegal immigration for years. As Washington has sat idle, problems and frustrations with illegal immigration have only increased. To better protect Missouri families, I have enacted numerous directives to protect Missouri from unlawful immigration. We are now working to enact a new law to specifically forbid the issuance of driver licenses to illegal immigrants and to make it a crime to knowingly help any illegal alien fraudulently obtain a driver license.
In recent weeks, the state of New York has taken center stage on immigration policy in our country. The New York governor concocted a scheme to issue driver licenses to illegal immigrants. A plan like that might sound good to politicians in New York City or Washington, D.C., but it is not good for Missouri. As governor, I will make every effort to ensure that driver licenses are never given to illegal immigrants.
Missourians do not condone lawbreaking. Nor do we turn our head when someone tries to take advantage of others. We enforce our laws. We defend law-abiding citizens. And we reserve the benefits of citizenship for legal residents.
My plan specifically prohibits illegals from obtaining driver licenses and imposes criminal penalties for those who assist illegals in obtaining licenses through fraud. This will give law enforcement and county prosecutors the tools they need to arrest and prosecute these illegal acts.
Missouri will not become a zone of lawlessness. Rather than wait on Washington, I will continue to take active steps to enforce immigration law at the state level. It is my hope that the General Assembly will pass my plan to clearly state that illegals cannot receive a Missouri driver license and create new penalties for those who assist them. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.