A proposal passed by the state Senate Thursday requires undocumented immigrants present valid proof of residence in order to obtain a driver's license or state-issued identification card. If made law, Assembly Bill 69 would be in compliance with federal efforts to reduce terrorism and enhance homeland security.
The proposal stems from federal legislation passed last May that requires individuals to possess a federally-approved ID card in order to board planes, open bank accounts or enter federal buildings.
State Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin, said a driver's license was used as a key document by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorists for setting up bank accounts, renting trucks and boarding airplanes.
'The 9/11 terrorists had expired visas when they got their driver's licenses, which they used to assist the terrorist acts performed to carry out their evil designs,' Gundrum said. 'It is a simple requirement to make sure someone is legally secure in the country, and we want to make it more difficult to carry out terrorist plans.'
State Rep. Mark Pettis, R-La Follette, and author of AB 69, said the bill would not eliminate documented immigrants, but rather focus on terrorist prevention.
'Some of the laws we need to abide by are the U.S. Constitution and the Wisconsin Constitution, and that deals with illegal immigrants,' Pettis said. 'If you are illegal, you are breaking the law. Terrorists need free movement within Wisconsin and the U.S. to do their terrorist activities. Without their driver's licenses, we will be able to crack down on them.'
However, Alma Ruiz, co-chair of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, said the bill would create a larger pool of undocumented immigrants, making it harder for police to identify criminals and leaving the country more vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
'Whether or not people want to accept it, there are undocumented people living in this country and it is very important to identify them,' she said. 'If you don't have any record of these people, it makes them even more invisible.'
According to Anne Lupardus, spokesperson for Gov. Jim Doyle, the governor will examine the bill but may not have much leeway in his decision to sign or veto the legislation.
'Congress has imposed a federal mandate that doesn't give the state much room on this issue,' Lupardus said.
