New, and More Complicated, License System in New York

The Department of Homeland Security wasn't happy with New York state's inclusive plan to give driver's licenses to illegal aliens.

Since driver's licenses are used for so much identification, including getting onto airplanes, Homeland Security had something to be concerned about.

States' rights being what is in America, the federal Department of Homeland Security had to negotiate with the state of New York.

At this point, we're looking at a compromise. New York is still going to give driver's licenses to people who entered this country illegally, but they're going to use a "three-tier" system.

This makes four states with a similar arrangement:

• Arizona
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington

In this blog, I'm only concerned with the illegal alien situation as it touches on the war on terror.

The multi-tier system of driver's licenses should still allow driver's licenses to be used as identification, while addressing the perceived need to accommodate people who are in the country illegally.

The system should work. If:

• Rules for using the system are simple, and clearly defined
• State employees clearly understand the rules, and how to follow them
• No mistakes are made while entering data, or distributing licenses
• Airline employees, customs officials, airport security, and everyone else who checks licenses clearly understand the rules, and how to follow them

Mistakes will be made, any time that human beings are involved. The more complicated a system is, the more opportunities for mistakes there will be.

I hope that New York's three-tier system hasn't passed the point where mistakes happen too often.