WASHINGTON — The leading presidential contenders, Republicans and Democrats alike, routinely declare their opposition to illegal immigration. But a divide has emerged over a narrower question: Should undocumented immigrants already in the United States be issued driver's licenses?
During Tuesday night's Democratic debate, five of the seven candidates indicated they would support states issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The front-runner, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, appeared to endorse the idea as well before retreating into an answer with so many caveats that her rivals mocked her for seeming to take both sides.
As soon as the debate ended, the Republican National Committee also pounced -- issuing a statement criticizing Clinton.
On Wednesday, campaign spokesman Phil Singer would not directly answer whether Clinton supported licensing illegal immigrants. "The question misses the point of the issue," he said, emphasizing that the New York senator wanted comprehensive immigration reform that puts people who are now in the country illegally on a path to citizenship.
The issue has been a source of controversy in several states, from California (where Gov. Gray Davis, who supported licensing, was recalled in 2003) to New York (where Gov. Eliot Spitzer's call to grant licenses has drawn fire in recent days). It is expected to stay alive during the 2008 campaign as states move to meet a set of deadlines, the first in May, for complying with the Real ID Act of 2005.
That law set nationwide standards designed to make it more difficult for illegal immigrants to secure driver's licenses. In its final report, the independent commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks recommended federal license standards as a way to prevent would-be terrorists in the U.S. from getting around lax state laws and obtaining a recognized form of identification.
Only three states have enacted measures to comply with Real ID. Fourteen others -- citing the cost of compliance, along with a dislike of federal intrusion -- have passed measures saying they will not comply with the law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California legislators have debated the issue, but have yet to act.
