There are some good judges left in Texas. Blocks enforcement on DL for immigrants

[RB TexLa]

4:00 PM Thu, Apr 09, 2009
Emily Ramshaw/Reporter

A district judge on Thursday temporarily blocked enforcement of a strict new Texas driver's license rule for foreign nationals, a Department of Public Safety initiative that has drawn the ire of immigrant rights groups.

Travis County District Judge Orlinda Naranjo, who issued the restraining order Thursday, said in an opinion that DPS acted outside of its authority when it adopted a rule that bans the agency from issuing or renewing licenses for immigrants who have permission to stay in the country for under six months.

Beginning in October, new licenses and identification cards issued to immigrants were also made vertical instead of horizontal, and stamped with the words "temporary visitor" - though the injunction doesn't appear to address those changes.
Supporters of the DPS changes say they're necessary to protect the country from terrorism. The Sept. 11 attackers had valid driver's licenses even though their visas were expired.

DPS officials "received the court's letter and are reviewing it with the Attorney General's office to determine the next step," agency spokeswoman Tela Mange said.

But opponents -- including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), the organization that filed the lawsuit on behalf of several plaintiffs -- say the ban on IDs for people with short-term visas has hindered immigrants' ability to rent housing and do business. And they say the Texas Public Safety Commission overstepped its authority by passing something akin to immigration policy.

The state agency "exceeded its authority by systematically denying full licenses to people who reside legally here in Texas," said MALDEF Southwest Regional Counsel Nina Perales.


http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/04/judge-blocks-enforcement-of-ne.html

[MazeRat7]

1. Straight up... DPS has enjoyed too much power for too long...n/t