This is a statement read by Legislator Karl Graves at the Allegany County legislature meeting held on May 13th in Belmont -
Illegal immigration is in the news and on my mind. I have no animosity or opposition to immigration. I just prefer that it be done with some modicum of care. All too often we see in the media the terrible consequences of what some refer to as “open borders”.
The greatest empathy I have is for those they call “Dreamers”. They are those whose parents illegally came here and gave birth to them. They had no say in the matter. The womb has many ways of speaking to us but not in words we can understand. They still need to undergo some sort of screening to see that their intentions here are good. I’ve learned that some of those that were born here under those circumstances have been taught by their parents and like kind to hate America and to plot against it if and when possible. In my opinion automatic granting of citizen ship should not happen under such circumstances – it should only be granted when the screening process is completed and they pass muster with our immigration policies.
At Monday’s, May 13th, full Legislative Board meeting a resolution was offered that signifies our opposition to granting a driver’s license to illegal immigrants. A driver’s license is the most often used instrument for identification purposes and I think the granting of same should be handled wisely.
During discussion of the resolution Chairman Crandall, when I asked for permission to read a statement regarding same, allowed me to do so. What follows is the narrative from that statement. I entitled it: When is a lie a lie?
“The resolution we are discussing today has been labeled by Albany as “The Green Light Bill”. The people in support of this effort say that it “restores” a “right” undocumented immigrants had, prior to 9/11, to be issued a New York State driver’s license.
First of all, let’s get one misconception cleared up. “Undocumented Immigrant” means that you are here in this country illegally. You are an illegal immigrant. You are here in violation of our law’s and you have failed to follow the rules to gain the right to be here. You have no “right” to anything here. You need to go back where you came from and start over.
9/11 was a horrific event in our nation’s history. Illegal immigrants killed some 3,000 of our citizens and caused billions of dollars worth of property damage and if – I say “if” because I also think it’s a lie – a change was made afterwards in our laws regarding issuing drivers licenses it was made for a very good reason and that “reason” is that some of them are not here because they are dreamers, full of hope and opportunity. They are here to disrupt our way of life and to kill us.
We need to know who these people are. They need to be vetted properly so that we know that their intentions are honorable. Not deadly. My family started here as immigrants. They came here for a better life, not to end life as we know it.
They say that licensing these illegal’s will make our roads safer. That they will have to pass a written exam, a road test and will be able to buy insurance. All so that they can “meet all their needs” and that it will boost our state’s economy. I think it’s more important that we know that their “needs” are honorable. Licensing them will not help our economy. Only a change in Albany’s way of thinking and doing business will help our economy. Taking jobs from our citizens, giving them to illegal’s should be considered an act of treason.
Ask yourself this: The national economy is soaring. Employment is at a 50-year high, the stock market is at historic levels yet here our economy is struggling. Dresser Rand – a pillar of our local economy for years – is shutting down. The Air Preheater is laying dozens of people off. Kmart is gone. Something is terribly wrong. It’s an honorable thing for people to have good intentions but this “Green Light Bill” is another example of good intentions gone bad.
Adding insult to injury, now I’m hearing that the Governor proposes to remove any County Clerk that refuses to enforce this proposed law. A constitutionally elected public official, sworn to uphold the law, being forced to serve illegal immigrants or be fired by the Governor. Someone should get fired. I agree with that assessment, but I don’t think it should be the County Clerk.
The real reason for this law is obvious. The Governor and the Legislature are worried about the upcoming 2020 Census. Reports are that if these illegal’s are not included in the census we stand to lose a Congressional seat which will mean the possible loss of Billions in federal aid to our state. Instead of trying to make New York a place of opportunity, a place to grow your business and to prosper so that people and business will return – this is their answer.
I urge that this resolution receive unanimous support and that we also do everything in our power to support and protect our County Clerk.
In closing I’d like to thank the Chairman and my fellow Legislators for their unqualified support. The measure passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Karl Graves, Legislator
District 4, Wellsville - Andover
