Note: My good friend and former state legislator, Doug Matayo, has this insightful post on Huckabee's work to fight illegal immigrants from getting drivers licenses.
By Doug Matayo
Act 2210 of 2005 was signed into law by Governor Huckabee. The legislation made it illegal for a driver’s license to be issued to anyone who could not prove legal residency in Arkansas.
Over two years before the controversy swirling over New York Governor Spitzer’s desire to allow illegal aliens to receive state documentation in the form of a state issued driver’s license, as Mike Huckabee’s floor leader, I sponsored and we passed legislation to stop illegals from getting licenses. Huckabee signed it into law.
Huckabee recognized this issue is about INTEGRITY. The integrity of the state to issue documents that are authentic and to avoid fraudulent attempts for people to receive state benefits they are not entitled too. Also this will cut down on voter fraud since a license cannot be issued to a non-resident (and state issued ID is typically produced at the polls to verify identity). But some of Huckabee’s detractors are still not happy with Huckabee’s immigration stances.
In a Wall Street Journal article, a former Republican legislator – Randy Minton – stated Huckabee was for amnesty, sanctuary cities and open borders. Apparently, Mr. Minton wasn’t paying attention when Matayo and Huckabee moved Act 2210 forward to keep all non-legal residents of Arkansas from getting state issued identification. Apparently, Mr. Minton didn’t read the papers when Huckabee signed into law legislation which allowed state troopers to partner with the Department of Homeland Security to arrest illegal immigrants and enforce federal immigration law. Obviously, Mr. Minton isn’t letting these facts get in the way of his continual personal and vitriolic attacks on Mr. Huckabee.
Now the immigration “hawks” do have Huckabee on one issue. Huckabee sponsored a state version of the federal “Dream Act” which was just recently defeated in the U.S. Senate. This bill did not pass through the state senate and is not law.
On this issue Huckabee has two options. One, continue to explain it in painful detail and try (in vain) to convince “Joe Six-pack” it is an issue of fairness. Or, he can do a “Mea Culpa,"
Apologize and move on and say it’s not something he will push as president. Politically, the second option is the best. Why move forward with a momentum stopper issue like this one?
My counsel to my governor is to run strong on the positive accomplishments of his administration and say a sincere apology on the items that didn’t work out. The American people are willing to overlook the occasional misstep and are looking toward leadership where a leader isn’t afraid to say, “I’m sorry… I missed it… but I’ll work hard to do it right next time.”
7 comments:
Thanks for your article. It's good to see someone sharing the real truth about Huckabee's record. Keep up the good work.
So, I read the text of the bill.
This is a little shady: "Has a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States or conditional permanent resident status in the United States."
If I understand that correctly, it means that someone who has applied for amnesty (an adjustment of status) would be eligible for a driver's license.
Also shady: "27-16-1109. Applicability to Medicaid identification cards.
No provision of this subchapter shall apply to the issuance or production of Medicaid identification cards by either the Department of Human Services or the Office of Driver Services of the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration."
This means that the state will not issue the same rules for Medicaid cards. Medicaid cards do not have a Social Security number provision which suggests that they are used by illegal immigrants.
Full text here:
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/acts/2005/public/act2210.pdf
Thanks - your blog is a helpful source of political info.
http://arkjournal.com/2007/11/newsflash-mike-huckabee-supported-bill.html
This post is false.
Act 2210 of 2005 did not change existing law with respect to driver's licenses for illegals.
HB 2212 filed by then Rep. Tracy Steele sought to amend out of Arkansas law a provision that already existed. It was added by Act 1099 of 1997.
In 1997 there was a policy of not giving licenses to illegals.
In 2001, Huckabee supported changing it.
That the was a bill in 2005 that reaffirmed a policy in existence since 1997 does not let Huckabee off the hook.
In 2001, Huckabee supported changing it.
No, even Huck's spokesman said that they don't have a problem with prohibiting drivers licenses for illegals.
The fact is that Huck supported the 2005 bill denying drivers licenses to illegals. His position is very clear.
Also, the fact is that Huckabee pushed hard for illegals to receive college scholarships and in-state tuition fees. Lets not forget that Huckabee helped a Mexican Consulate get an office in Little Rock and out of the goodness of his heart only charges them $1 a month.
Also, the fact is that Huckabee pushed hard for illegals to receive college scholarships and in-state tuition fees. Lets not forget that Huckabee helped a Mexican Consulate get an office in Little Rock and out of the goodness of his heart only charges them $1 a month.
Post a Comment