Controversy over plans to issue driver's licenses for illegal immigrants Eliot Spitzer

spitzer hillary clinton in 2007

on september 21, 2007, spitzer issued executive order directing state offices allow illegal immigrants issued driver s licenses effective december 2007. applicants driver s licenses not required prove legal immigration status , allowed present foreign passport identification. after meeting department of homeland security in october 2007, spitzer altered plan licenses issued migrant workers different other licenses , new licenses not allow access airplanes , federal buildings.

on october 21, 2007, state senate voted oppose spitzer plan 39–19 vote. 8 democrats moderate districts broke spitzer on vote. after vote, new york times called issue mr. spitzer s single unpopular decision since took office.

following state senate s vote, spitzer revised plan again, proposing issuance of third type of driver s license. driver s license available united states citizens new york state residents, , valid crossing canada–us border. spitzer announced expiration dates of temporary visas printed on driver s licenses of individuals living in country them.

on november 14, day following release of poll showing proposal extremely unpopular voters, spitzer announced withdraw plan, acknowledging never implemented. decision drew derision press, associated press termed reversal surrender. wcbs-tv labeled him governor flip-flop. state senator rubén díaz of bronx said betrayed spitzer s abandonment of plan.