Proof of legal residency such as a birth certificate or Social Security card would be required to get a Maryland driver?s license under a measure designed to combat illegal immigration.
The bill, sponsored by Del. Ronald George and co-sponsored by nearly 60 delegates, represents the latest effort in Republicans? drive to wipe out Maryland?s image as a “sanctuary state” for illegal immigrants, where they say federal immigration laws go unenforced.
“Maryland now is a target for coming to,” said George, R-Anne Arundel. “We need to do it now.”
“Right now, Maryland is a state that is known to be very open for illegal aliens because of our very nonexistent policy regarding granting driver?s licenses to illegals,” said Del. Susan Krebs, R-Carroll, a co-sponsor of the bill. “All we want people to do is follow the law. That?s all I?m asking.”
Gov. Martin O?Malley has said the state plans to begin a system in 2010 that would require applicants to prove they?re in the country legally. But George said that was too long to wait.
Michigan no longer allows illegal immigrants to get driver?s licenses after its attorney general in December reversed the state?s opinion to make it align with federal laws.
A group of Republicans in Maryland has sent a letter to Attorney General Doug Gansler asking him to do the same, Krebs said.
Gansler had not received the letter yet, said Raquel Guillory, his spokeswoman.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union in Maryland said the immigration system was not working, but it would continue to encourage states to steer away from the problem.
“The immigration system in America is broken, and the ACLU believes it is the proper role of the federal government to fix it,” said Meredith Curtis, spokeswoman for the Maryland ACLU.
The bill is joined by numerous others meant to clamp down on illegal immigration, including one that would outlaw “sanctuary cities.”
Takoma Park is Maryland?s only declared “sanctuary city.” It reaffirmed its status in October as a haven for illegals, but lawmakers argue that others fall under the same category if they do not do their best to uphold federal laws.
