Does NY State have the right to declare an illegal immigrant a citizen of that state?

[KittyWampus]

Or to at least issue some kind of documentation to said illegal immigrant. Something that would enable NY to deal with said illegal immigrants?

In other words, since the federal system isn't stepping up to the plate, can NY or any other state do the paperwork. At least for that state alone?

Is there some way for NY to issue documents to illegal immigrants just to get them in the system?

Edit- I'm trying to find ways around the drivers liscense for illegal immigrants dilemma.

[aquart]

1. I thought we already found a way.

The annoying three-tier system.

[Richard Steele]

2. What a fascinating question. I have no answer, myself...

...but I'm looking forward to what others have to say about it.

[Blaze Diem]

3. Citizen of that State?

Not sure what you mean by this, but I suppose if the State were to secede from the union, they could do whatever they wanted with people who sneak into that particular state.
Can of worms, in my opinion.
Go through the proper channels or go home.
When the basic needs of the citizens of this country/state are met, then I may rethink my position on those who come to this country with no intention of becoming citizens, yet demand the rights and privileges of a citizen.

[aquart]

4. Resident, not citizen. Resident.

Anyone who lives here, is a resident of the state. Not entitled to vote in any state election. Only a citizen of the United States who also lives here can vote in local elections.

New York is trying to exercise a modicum of control over its residents to prevent accidents and facilitate commerce. Illegals and non-citizens have been part of our economy from the beginning. They need to get to work. While they're on the roads, we would like them to be licensed and insured. We would like to know that they've passed driving tests. Making US citizenship a requirement for a driver's license endangers citizens.

My cousin is a legal green card working resident of New York. Not a citizen. Should he be allowed to drive? My grandfather however, was illegal every day of his life, having snuck across the Canadian border. Should he not have been allowed to drive safely and legally?

Pretending people who are here are not here is just stupid.

[Blaze Diem]

5. Pretending people who are here illegally are deserving of all rights & privileges of

citizens is stupid too. It also demeans the value of those who hold their citizenship (however acquired) as something of value. If you don't want to be a citizen of this country then go home or to another country. I am against anyone here illegally who won't value the citizens of this nation, yet demand the same rights & privileges.
If driving to work is the reason we now are supposed to offer dr. lic.'s, then take the bus, a cab, carpool,. Figure it out. Many US citizens don't have a vehicle or cannot afford ins., they still work because they find a way to get there, or take a job closer to home. I know those who live exactly like that. Maybe Spitzer could be asking for improved mass transit in this country so illegals (you know what I mean), can easily get to the jobs that no civilized American would do in a million years. You know, the jobs we used to make a living off of until they were given to cheap labor illegals.
This is about voter fraud and pandering to the side of cheap labor. It is about devaluing American citizenship on behalf of corporate America.
It is about the Neo wet dream of North & South America bcoming one body governed by the neofascist New World Order.
I'd buy the whole concern for terrorism in the USA if I saw the Bush government taking serious the need to secure the southern border also. Until then, I believe they prefer the border be eliminated altogether.
Abuse by BOTH our Corporate Government and illegals are contributing to the devaluing of US citizenship and the people that hold it in honor.

The erosion of our civil & constitutional rights have gradually taken place with Bush in the WH. It began with the thwarting of an election and progressed from that point.
This is about the means to an end. The vision and future as designed by those who have worked towards a New World Order as described by GHWBush.

Its about more than getting someone insurance so they can drive. Like a lack of that really deters people from driving.

[Basileus Basileon]

6. States can't declare citizenship. nt

[legaltender]

7. That's an intriguing idea.

The Fourteenth Amendment says:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.

This implies that citizenship of a state and citizenship of the U.S. are two different things, but it also implies that only a person born or naturalized in the U.S. can be a citizen of a state. It makes my head hurt trying to figure it out.

[mondo joe]

8. States don't have citizens - they have residents. But states have definitetly

had formal interaction with illegals - state medicaid benefits, for example.

I believe it would be legal for states to issue driver's licenses -- but I'm not at all confident that it would work.

[Bandit]

9. States demand a person be licensed by that state to drive on their highways

They do not demand that person be a resident though. You can get a drivers license without being a permanent resident as long as you have a legitimate address. Now a hunting or fishing license is a completely different story because that is taking of the states resources.