The surging number of immigrant applications for driver?s licenses in Maryland following a recent Motor Vehicle Administration policy change proves the state is a “welcoming mat” for terrorists, according to Maryland state Del. Patrick McDonough. “Osama bin Laden could come to Maryland and get a driver?s license,” said McDonough, a Baltimore County Republican.
“Maryland is one of the least secure states in the country,” he said.
Since April, the MVA has allowed immigrants to submit applications for driver?s licenses on a walk-in basis as opposed to requiring them to make appointments with counselors. Since the change, the MVA has gone from processing about 950 applications from immigrants per week to about 2,000 per week, said MVA spokesman Buel Young.
Maryland is one of eight states in the county that does not require people to show legal documentation of citizenship when applying for a driver?s license.
Kim Propeak, spokeswoman for CASA de Maryland, called McDonough?s comments “irresponsible” and said the higher number of applications doesn?t mean more immigrants are coming to Maryland to get licenses. Propeak said immigrants who could not make appointments before the change because of scheduling or bureaucratic delays are now taking advantage of a system that is more open.
Propeak also said the illegal immigrants trying to get licenses are not terrorists, but “hard-working people who want to work to support their families.” Maryland?s inadequate public transportation system requiresworkers to have cars and licenses, she said.
Young said the MVA?s policies about who can get a license “remain very stringent.”
Immigrants who want to obtain licenses must show proof of age, identity and Maryland residency.
He also added that not all the immigrants applying for licenses are actually getting them.
“Of that 2,000,” he said, “Only 50 percent get past the document review process and are eligible to get a license.”
