If the answer to the immigration debate is to make employers responsible for enforcing immigration laws by steering them to the E-Verify system managed by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration I have to believe the same system can work for public service providers as well.
Media pundits point to the high cost of services rendered to illegal aliens on a daily basis. California is supposedly drowning in red ink from the excessive cost of services for illegal aliens. In our state, there is the suggestion that public services are being overwhelmed by illegal aliens. Yet none of the public service entities are allowed to ask about the immigration status of the recipients; and in many cases, they are specifically prohibited from asking.
In Arizona, the state tried to address the failure of the Federal Government to secure the border and stem the flow of illegal aliens and illegal drugs into our country by giving the police the directive to check violators’ eligibility to be in the country. Under my plan, all they have to do is link to the E-Verify system like any business owner would to determine the status of the individual. But unlike the business owner, the police are in a position to investigate further and facilitate the deportation of those folks determined to be in the US illegally. E-Verify is a system that is already in place and would not require a significant addition to the bureaucracy.
If we instruct our Department of Motor Vehicles to link to E-Verify before issuing a Driver’s License (to every applicant to avoid profiling) like business owners could be required to do, we could identify those folks who are legally eligible to be in the country regardless of their ethnicity.
We issue provisional driver licenses to drivers under 21 years of age. We should issue licenses different from the standard one for all aliens. Authorities should be aware when a driver license is presented as identification that the person presenting it is either of legal age to buy tobacco or liquor or that they are citizens of the United States or not.
On a state by state basis, the function of the department of motor vehicles can standardize for that state the process they choose to use with the idea that all the formats be linkable to the E-Verify system. It wouldn’t be a national ID card, but it would be a way to check the national data base.
If we are stopped by police or apply for services we are already asked to provide our driver’s license as identification. If a person is stopped by police or applies for services without that ID, they can offer an alternative explanation that should be verifiable. Either way, the public service agency has a method of determining eligibility. Failing to provide proper ID or acceptable alternative, follow-up action can be pursued.
At the same time, before we enroll children in schools or render medical services at public health providers we link to E-Verify to determine eligibility of the individuals to be in the country legally. The decision to render services or not then can be made with that in mind. If an agency decides to continue offering the service to those individuals, they can at least track them.
If E-Verify is the standard for determining private sector employment eligibility, it can serve in the same capacity for public service agencies.
Certainly there is a cost of implementing the E-Verify system for this application, but if it is a cost small businesses must bear, it cannot be an unreasonable cost to public agencies if the security of our country is at stake.
No Loss for Words 
Dana Campaign Suspended!
by Steve DanaOn the occasion of the Memorial Day holiday, we reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans for Americans. We are somber in the realization that even though it was never their intent when they volunteered to serve, many gave their lives to preserve the freedom and liberty our country symbolizes for not just our own citizens, but for the world.
The battle for freedom and liberty rages on many fronts. Certainly our armed forces carry on the fight when they take up guns and march off to war, but in the modern age, the external forces aligned against freedom and liberty are matched by the insidious “evils” of liberal progressivism that attack our national values from within.
It is absolutely imperative that Americans who value our heritage step up to counter those evils by serving in any capacity, in any position that will offer a more desirable option than the left leaning drivel that steadily strips our property rights and our will and ability to defend our freedom from excessive government.
I have been a participant in that effort for more than twenty years through service to my community. I have been an elected official and a volunteer in my city. I have been a candidate for County Council and until today, I was a candidate for the House of Representatives running with Shahram Hadian against Hans Dunshee.
Circumstances in my life have changed recently and after substantial consideration, I have determined that I cannot continue with a campaign while taking care of my family obligations. To that end, I am compelled to abandon this legislative campaign.
Hopefully, by making the decision at this point in the campaign calendar, it will allow others to get into the race or for supporters to get behind Shahram. There is no doubt that replacing Hans Dunshee should be a high priority for voters in the 44th district and to the degree that I can, I will campaign to achieve that end.
It has been an honor to serve in the past and if it is meant to be, I will again. I am grateful for the support I have received and the confidence shown by so many that have offered to help in the campaign. I appreciate the efforts of Whitney Roulstone in particular who has served as my campaign manager.
I look forward to working to elect Republicans that will actually follow conservative principles. Too many talk the talk without substance. We need to demonstrate to voters that Republicans are more than cheap conversation through proactively articulating our plan. Elected officials need to be accountable for the regulatory failures that plague our country. If we insist on passing laws, we need to enforce them or repeal them.
Thank you for allowing me to be your advocate.
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