There was a time when coming to America as an immigrant, took a process of paper work, such as medical immunizations, and background checks, in order to become a citizen or even a pending citizen. Now, it has become much easier to obtain those papers for citizenship, without the thorough background checks. It has even been noted, “banks do not have the means to authenticate or validate documents provided by their customers and urges Treasury and the agencies to clarify that document authentication is not a CIP requirement” (Cocheo, 1906). Through careful research, surveys, public service ads and our very own personal blog we take a stance on the issue “rights vs. privileges ” Our campaign strives for hegemony on the realization that obtaining a state driver’s license is a privilege not a right.
A survey was conducted with participants between the ages of 30 – 55 years, with income levels ranging from low to middle class. This survey was design to get an understanding how people feel about undocumented immigrant want to attain driver’s licenses. According to the survey results, the majority answered “No” for issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. Ironically, half of the participants were not US citizens. 65% of participants stated they knew an illegal immigrant and about 55% of the participants were unaware of this being an issue.
A 60 second Public Service Announcement was also created. It was a re-enactment of two friends discussing a terrible car accident that took place earlier that day. A family was injured and the driver was an undocumented immigrant with a driver's license.
While all immigrants living in the United States have some fundamental rights, as laid out in the United States Constitution, the majority of the rights are tied to legal status. The Constitution makes a significant distinction between “citizens’ and “persons.” So, in light of recent increased publicity on undocumented immigrants, issuing something as valuable as a driver’s license, to someone without proper papers for US citizenship, is a poorly thought-out idea, especially in a time when safety and security is a high priority. Therefore, knowing the issue presented before us all: should undocumented immigrants be allowed to obtain a driver’s license? Is it a right or a privilege?
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5 comments:
I totally agree. I'm a citizen and I can't get my drivers license yet because I don't have any permanent resting place. I'm in the process of getting a apt. and DMV said I don't have enough ID points. If I have to go through it the right way, then the illegal immigrant should also.
Illegal immigrants need to go through the same process as the immigrants come to the U.S. LEGALLY!
Peer reaction from Kizzy-Kay Graham
Immigration is a hot button issue in the U.S. right now, so this project and survey are very apt. I myself am an immigrant-albeit very Americanized-and my children will be first generation Americans. However, I feel strongly about illegal immigrantion. My mother and I to wait our turn like many legal immigrantsin the mid-eighties. Therefore, I believe others should wait to come to the States legally. There are many who will argue that immigration (no matter how it happens) is good for the U.S. However, it is different when you do not make a lot of money but can't recieve any benefits and stay in the U.S. Where else in the world can a mother do that? Not in Sweden and many other European countries. I'm not sure how many people filled out the survey, but it must have been diffcult to say how they really feel about immigrantion.
Peer reaction from Rhonder Alleyne
When I look at this flyer, the first thing that came to my mind was senior citizen. Lets get them off the road. Second, higer taxes for citizens. Third, the people that are not citizens, will have to give up their license until they become citizens.
I didn't realize how important this issue is. Thanks for the info.
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