Conference backs Spitzer on licenses

Richard E. Barnes, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the state's bishops in public policy matters, has expressed support for Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow undocumented immigrants access to New York State driver's licenses.

"For the past several years, the Catholic Church has been involved in the area of comprehensive reform of our national immigration policies," Mr. Barnes said.

"In his executive action regarding identification requirements for state driver's licenses, Gov. Spitzer has addressed a problem that is, in actuality, a symptom of a larger problem that should be resolved ultimately by the federal government."

Economy

Affirming that "a balance must be struck between important homeland security concerns and certain economic realities," Mr. Barnes noted that "the federal government has not instituted a comprehensive immigration policy. Therefore, these issues end up being addressed piecemeal by state and local governments. Given that reality, we believe that Gov. Spitzer's action was appropriate."

Mr. Barnes said that "this matter is partially one of economic justice for the immigrants themselves" and added that "the state also has an economic interest at play.

"In certain sections of our state, we see labor market shortages, which are being filled by this population. In order to fill these positions, which are of critical importance to our state's economic well-being, the immigrant community needs valid licenses in order to get to the jobs."

Balance point

Noting that "the Church's role is to speak to issues of human dignity and economic justice," Mr. Barnes said that "the government's role is to balance all of these needs, including the legitimate security issues that have been raised by others.

"We leave it to the Governor and other state officials to resolve these matters as they deem necessary to protect our citizenry, to ensure economic justice, and to meet the labor needs of business and industry."

(10/11/07)