Utah House votes to repeal driver cards for immigrants in country illegally
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Updated: 2:21 PM- A bill that would eliminate driving privilege cards for undocumented immigrants passed today in the House.

After an hour-long debate, lawmakers approved the measure in a 39-35 vote. HB239 now heads to the Senate.

Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, said the cards are a threat to national security because anyone, including terrorists, can get a federal individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), which is needed to get a driving privilege cards.

"Utah driver privilege cards are making it possible for illegal aliens to operate in our society," he said.

Some lawmakers said public safety shouldn't be a concern because undocumented immigrants can still get auto insurance with a drivers license from another country.

Last year, Utah issued some 41,000 driving privilege cards statewide.

A recent state study showed almost 76 percent of cardholders insure their vehicles. Eighty-two percent of people with drivers licenses have insurance.

jasanchez@sltrib.com

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