Some Say Texas Driver’s License Law Goes too Far to Find Illegal Aliens

Some officials in Texas are crying foul over new rules imposed by a state agency seeking to ban illegal aliens from obtaining driver’s licenses, saying the agency is overstepping its bounds.

The Texas Department of Public Safety Commission imposed new rules on August 25 requiring drivers to prove they are legal residents of the U.S. before they can obtain or renew a state issued driver’s license.

Checkpoints manned by state and local police verify the license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance of all applicants.

Democratic State Representative Jones McClendon told the Houston Chronicle that the problem with the new rule is that a state agency is making immigration policy, which he says is not their job.

In September, the DPS asked the state Attorney General if the driver’s license checkpoints were legal, which raised some red flags among lawmakers.

A 1979 U.S. Supreme Court ruling found that traffic stops used to check driver’s licenses were unconstitutional unless the officer had reasonable suspicion.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, cases of illegal immigrants rose 21 percent in North Texas over the last year with 16,300 people being arrested and deported.

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