Tobacco slams pending legislation to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens

A Staten Island Assembly member is denouncing pending state legislation that seeks to resurrect an attempt by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer to grant driver's licenses to illegal aliens, saying it has wide-ranging national security implications.

Assemblyman Lou Tobacco is also thumping the joint Assembly and state Senate bill because he said it would give young adults -- who were brought here illegally -- the ability to receive financial aid for college and earn a degree, as well as the opportunity to work legally in the state and access health care.

"In a post-9/11 world, and with the state facing economic constraints, New Yorkers cannot afford to provide driver's licenses and other benefits to individuals here illegally," said Tobacco (R-South Shore). "It's bad enough that Mohammad Atta was able to take flying lessons in this country. The only thing worse would have been taxpayers paying the bill for his terrorist training -- something that could become a reality if this legislation becomes law."

But Tobacco told the Advance: "I am not calling illegal aliens terrorists. I am not saying they are here seeking to do us harm."

Still, he said granting licenses to illegal aliens "would legalize an illegal activity" while "there are people who live here who follow the law of the land."

"While I have no problem with people coming to this country legally in search of a better life for themselves and their children, government needs to start enforcing current immigration laws instead of creating loopholes for illegal immigrants to live and work in New York state," said Tobacco. "If an illegal alien wants to attend college in the United States in order to better himself, then this person must apply as an international student and pay the appropriate tuition rates."

Tobacco's office said if the legislation is enacted, illegal aliens could on average be eligible for up to $5,000 in tuition assistance, $20,000 in student loans and $4,100 in health care coverage at a time when such services have been slashed to taxpaying citizens.

Added Tobacco: "This bill will only promote illegal immigration in New York state without getting to the root of the problem, which is the lack of a comprehensive national immigration policy."

The state measure, similar to the federal DREAM Act that was rejected last year by Congress, seeks to breathe new life into the controversial attempt by Spitzer to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants by executive order.

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