On its face, plans for further restrictions to obtain IDs might seem a logical way to battle terrorism. But just as likely, these plans make life more difficult for people who simply need a driver’s license.
The Michigan Secretary of State’s office already requires three forms of identification to obtain a license, but Secretary of State Candice Miller is supporting a bill that would require a visa or proof of citizenship when applying for a state ID or driver’s license. The idea is to prevent illegal immigrants - who may be terrorists in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks -from getting a state-issued ID.
These stricter guidelines were spawned from investigators’ discovery that five of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers had driver’s licenses or state IDs.
But many more U.S. visitors from foreign countries have no intention of taking part in illegal activities. Instead, they’re students, workers or extended visitors, and might need to be able to drive a car just as much as any U.S. citizen. If an international person can pass the already extensive requirements to get a driver’s license, then a license should be issued to them.
Although increasing awareness about terrorism is the right thing to do, pushing through numerous new restrictions under the guise of Sept. 11 isn’t automatically right. Rather than focusing on restricting civil liberties or adding new obstacles to once-simple government functions, the focus in this case needs to be turned to preventing terrorists from entering the nation.
That role falls on the federal government and its Immigration and Naturalization Service, not the state motor-vehicle offices.
We know that in light of Sept. 11, everyone should operate with increased awareness. But that means people should report suspicious activities, not necessarily that it should be harder to complete regular, daily functions.
The state shouldn’t restrict those who just want to get behind the wheel for work, school or entertainment. Providing an international person the privilege to drive in a country with so many freedoms only seems like the right thing to do.
