Put yourself in the shoes of an illegal immigrant. You have already committed a very serious crime by coming into the country illegally, so compared to the penalties for that, the penalties for driving without a license are relatively minor. Also, you have no assets in the US to speak of, so driving without insurance isn't an issue, since no one could sue you anyway. So what will stop you from driving?
I know that there are issues of principle involved with this, but I am just trying to think practically. If they buy insurance, then everyone else won't have to pay higher uninsured driver's premiums.
PS Please just answer my question, regardless of whether you think it's right or not. I am not interested in hearing whether you think they should or shouldn't be given licenses.
2007-11-01 10:57:38 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Thanks for the responses. To the person that said driver's licenses are all-purpose IDs, that is true, but they do not entitle you to open a bank account or board a plane. They just prove who you are, which is one requirement. A passport from a foreign country is just as strong an ID as a driver's license.
2007-11-01 11:17:46 · update #1
It's not just about driving. Driver's licenses are kind of an "all access card." If you have a driver's license, you can board a plane, open a bank account, etc. A lot of people (including myself) don't think we should allow illegals to do whatever they want.
2007-11-01 11:03:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't stop them from driving, they continue to do so, or get themselves a fake license to use for id purposes. There's been more then enough stories in the news about them killing people while they're driving drunk or whatever.
I suppose the way you put it, which makes sense to a point, there is no "incentive" for them to not drive-since they're here criminally/illegally anyway, so what's the difference if they drive illegally as well? However, if you're insinuating giving them a license, I don't agree with that. That's almost like rewarding them for their criminal actions. And, I really don't think that would give them an incentive to purchase insurance either. Plus, even if you did grant them the privledge of having a license, I think they'd be too scared to go in and get the legit license, for fear of being deported, which they should be..... but that's a whole other topic :)
2007-11-01 11:09:00 · answer #2 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If I am not able to get a license because I am an illegal I will still be driving. Yes you are right is not going to stop me. I need to get to work and school somehow. I have tried public transportation its a hassle and where I work public transportation doesn't pass through.I drive my car that my boyfriend gave me (he is an american citizen that was born in the U.S. and he is not hispanic like me)but the cars insurance is under his name so I will aleast be driving with insurance even though I do not have a license. Hope my answer help.
2007-11-04 02:22:26 · answer #3 · answered by Evy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With or without a license, they'll still drive. Even with the opportunity to acquire one, though, many probably won't. Among those who do, what percentage will even try to buy insurance? And, with a license, with or without insurance, when they hit another car (that they'd never have hit had they stayed in and improved their own home-nation) with fatal results, how will either the license or the insurance serve as consolation to the family of the deceased?
I have family in the most impoverished areas of Latin-America, I hear stories often enough to get a very clear picture of their plight. But, can you imagine what they tell me is best for them? It is NOT leaving the country, but stopping the exodus of the very people whose presence, added to their own, would serve to redirect that corrupt government.
Granting these licenses, far from issues of principle here in the U.S., has much greater negative effects in the small towns, rural areas, villages, suburbs, etc, whose people will continue to watch their neighbors abandon them when they're needed the most.
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2007-11-01 11:26:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Should not, period. It is giving more incentive for illegal immgrants to enter the country. Why don't we offer them free memberships at the country club as well? Let's roll out the red carpet for them!
You are right. They will drive whether they want to or not. Some may buy insurance but I would bet that the lions share would not. It would be interesting to see if there is any data on this subject rather than us speculating one way or another.
2007-11-05 23:29:49 · answer #5 · answered by ROBERT V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When an illegal immigrant (aka alien) does or can't be responsible for their actions, it puts the burden on US citizens. If driving without a license or insurance and is involved in an accident, the illegal puts the financial burden on his victim. If they cause a death, they may not even be allowed to be identified as illegal so they cant be punished or deported.
I propose that the illegal/s country of origin be held responsible for allo monetary damages caused by their citizen if that illegal does not have a cuurent work or educational visa.
2007-11-01 11:13:52 · answer #6 · answered by menasha_rabinowitz 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Nothing will stop them from driving, for the reasons you have outlined above. About insurance argument, it wouldn't do anything either, even if they had to show proof of a policy to get a license. They would just get one for that purpose alone, then let it go by not paying the premiums.
2007-11-01 11:45:38 · answer #7 · answered by Gretl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will not stop them from driving. Just as when a drivers licenses is taken from whomever, they still drive. Breaking the law to some means nothing, legal or illegal.
2007-11-02 05:40:46 · answer #8 · answered by jbc87vet@verizon.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different ways to view this... from a law enforcement standpoint, having an issued license will hold them accountable for their actions whereas up to this point they are not accountable for much BECAUSE they are not documented.This idea could work but as far as the undocumented are concerned, this could be a double edged sword. I would like ALL to be held responsible for their actions.This plan could do just that!
2007-11-01 13:37:21 · answer #9 · answered by James C 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ironically, the penalties for driving without a liscence can be more substantial than for being in the country illegally.
The point isn't stopping them from driving, though, it's getting them to leave. Giving them liscences is accomodation. Small-scale Amnesty.
2007-11-01 11:36:13 · answer #10 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋