YOUR COMMENTS

Immigration may be a federal matter, driving licenses is not. States, not the federal government, that should decide on that.
- André Kenji, São Paulo

Well, it's nice to see Judd Gregg finally doing the right thing regarding illegal immigration. Sununu has been on the right side of this fight all along.
- Rowland, Fremont

The most important use of a drivers license is for ID. Since the US will not issue a National ID card (biblical fundamentalists be damned for it), the DL becomes it (and try using a passport for ID sometime; most people have never seen one). Oops, DL requires only proof of residency needed, not LEGAL residency, immigration, etc. Issue a National ID card and save the DL for its true purpose: showing that you pass the driving test. At least then illegals have proof of their name and address, and won't exist totally below the radar.
- Bob, Northood

If you are an illegal alien, you have, by definition, already broken the law.
Why is it so hard for people to see that?
- Zizzy, Manchester

This is a nice press relase the UL has printed, without comment or balance. Judd Gregg supported the Amnesty bill earlier this year. This fig leaf won't change many people's belief that he's "soft" on illegals.
- Stephen, Manchester

I agree with Stephen Boyington in Chester...once they commit a crime they should be deported. While simply driving a car is not a crime...entering the country illegally IS (Hence the term ILLEGAL immigrant). The moment they cross the border they are felons. Why not just set up more of these marches/protests that were attended my 'millions' nationwide (On a weekday no less.....) and just arrest them all then??
- Mike, Concord

Sen Gregg has done next to nothing in the past regarding illegal immigrants. Go back and review his votes on important legislation. Always on the "wrong side".
As for this - it is only a "resolution" which probably ranks below a wrist slap. It isn't a law being passed, just a bunch of Senators saying "Don't do that". None of the violating states will even know if it passed and could care less.
Sponsor a bill taking away Federal Highway money from states that grant licenses to illegals and get it passed. Then you will get the attention of the states. But you won't see Gregg doing that anytime soon.
- R Clardy, Hampton

Issue them driver's licenses so we know where they are and send ICE to collect and deport them ( a stretch, I know ). Thank you Senator Gregg for doing the right thing.
- Steve, Derry

The presence of so many illegal immigrants certainly poses a problem. Many folks would "solve" this problem by deporting them all. I'd be more in favor of deporting someone here illegally if they commit a crime. Driving a car, in my opinion, is not a crime.

The Senators who support this resolution don't seem very firm in their beliefs. If so, they should push to enact legislation as others have suggested: make it a federal offense to issue a drivers license to anyone not a US citizen. The problems with that are numerous, both legal and political. I don't know if that law would be deemed constitutional for one. The other problems are political. These GOP Senators would risk alienating the business lobby, who support the current situation. Also, a federal law like this would fly in the face of the GOP belief that states rights rule.
- Stephen Boyington, Chester

This an odd stance for Judas Gregg to be taking. In his own words: "We need a functioning guest worker program that allows people to come here and work in jobs that Americans are not available to do, without becoming U.S. citizens." What jobs aren't Americans able to do? They had the illegal round-up in New Bedford MA and the next day there was a huge turnout of Americans willing to take those jobs. So is Judas for selling-out American workers or is he against it? Seems to me he's just trying to preserve his own job. The last thing we need is an influx of people that want to sponge off the economy with no intentions of ever becoming a US citizen themselves.
- Alex, Nashua

I think that if an illegal is pulled over in NH for anything (including a minor "traffic violation"), the officer involved (regardless of whether they are local or state) should be empowered to detain the illegal and initiate deportation hearings. Send'em home!!
- Rick, Hampton

Here in NH we shouldnt recognize licenses from states that issue to illegal immigrants !! How are they getting licenses they should be getting arrested by ins and sent home.
- wayne yescalis, manchester

Finally someone in the Senate is willing to stand up and take a reasoned position based on commonsense and the law. It is about time and thankfully the Union Leader is willing to report on it, as I am sure that no other news organization will mention this story. Now what we need is federal legislation to prohibit issuance of drivers licenses to illegals and severe penalties (eliminating federal funding) for states which have already given licenses to people who are not here legally.
- Patrick Spooner, Windham