Nov 14, 2007 9:24 am US/Eastern
N.Y. Gov. Abandons Illegal Immigrant License Plan
WASHINGTON (CBS) ―
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Wednesday he was abandoning a plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, but said that the federal government had "lost control" of its borders and left states to deal with the consequences.
"I have concluded that New York state cannot successfully address this problem on its own," Spitzer said at a news conference after meeting wtih members of the state's Congressional delegation.
Spitzer said overwhelming public opposition led to his decision.
The governor introduced the plan with the goal of increased security, safer roads and an opportunity to bring immigrants "out of the shadows." Opponents charged Spitzer would make it easier for would-be terrorists to get identification, and make the country less safe. Many New Yorkers agreed with them.
About 70 percent of New Yorkers oppose the license plan, according to a Siena College poll of 625 registered voters released Tuesday. The poll, conducted Nov. 5-8, had a sampling error margin of 3.9 percentage points.
Last month, Spitzer sought to salvage the license effort by striking a deal with the Department of Homeland Security to create three distinct types of state driver's licenses: one "enhanced" that will be as secure as a passport; a second-tier license good for boarding airplanes; and a third marked not valid for federal purposes that would be available to illegal immigrants and others.
Even strong supporters of the governor said it made sense to give up this fight because of the long odds of winning over the public and of the political harm being done to the Democratic Party - particularly presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.
She was bloodied during a recent debate for sticking up for Spitzer's plan while shying away from outright support:
"I did not say that it should be done but I certainly recognize why Governor Spitzer is trying to do it," Clinton said. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd interrupted Clinton, and said, "you thought it made sense to do it." Clinton responded, saying "No I didn't Chris. The point is what are we going to do with all the illegal immigrants?"
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