North Carolina GOP Files Arizona-Style ‘Show Me Your Papers’ Bill

[mwooldri]

1. This bill seems schizophrenic to me.

As a "documented alien", I did take interest in this. To me the part of making it a crime to take a colour copy of your drivers license or other ID card is just antiquated. Documented aliens have to show their alien residents card to get a licence, and an endorsement is on the licence starting when the "green card" expires. This bill does mean that documented aliens are not penalised for not having their card on them (generally though federal law says we are to have it with us, it is better to keep the card in a secure place -a replacement card is $500.).

For undocumented residents, it would mean that a licence can be legally obtained but if there is any suspicion that the applicant has committed a crime then there will be additional barriers. Also heaven forbid that once they got their licence they get stopped by law enforcement because the undocumented resident would establish their status just by presenting that drivers permit. Then that officer would have to make ICE aware of the fact that they have such an individual on their hands.

In essence, this bill makes issuing a driver's license to an undocumented resident pointless.