Alabama DPS Proposes Exception to SSN Requirement -- For
Aliens Only!
September 25, 2002
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| Alabama DPS Proposes Exception to SSN Requirement -- For Aliens Only! September 25, 2002 | ||
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| NoSSN Comment - One quick question. Since only aliens upon admission into the country are required to get an SSN, why are citizens required to use one and an eception made to foreigners? ====================================================================== SCAN THIS NEWS 9.25.2002 This week I learned that the Alabama Department of Public Safety is proposing changes to the agency's Administrative Rules, making a special exception to the agency's social security number requirement as a condition for receiving an Alabama driver's license. The exception, however, applies only to FOREIGN NATIONALS (ALIENS). Today I spoke with a representative from the DPS legal department and was told that, in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks the state agency has been "urged" by the federal government to adopt new identification requirements for licensure in accordance with federal guidelines. Proponents of the new requirements (incorrectly) believe that SSNs help confirm an applicant's identity [see article below]. The DPS official could not explain, however, how making an exception to the SSN requirement for foreign nationals will further their lofty (laudable? laughable?) goal. The proposed change is being adopted under a proposed amendment to existing Rule 760-X-1-.20. The DPS is also proposing adoption of an amendment to existing Rule 760-X-1-.19; under this change CITIZENS of Alabama will be required to produce two "acceptable" "proof of identity" documents in order to receive a new or renewal driver's license -- one of which must be a social security card! For those who may have missed the crux of this, let me repeat: The Alabama agency responsible for issuing driver's licenses in this state, the Department of Public Safety, is proposing changes to agency rules so as to require Alabama CITIZENS to produce two verifiable forms of acceptable "proof of identity" -- one of which MUST BE a social security card -- as a condition for a CITIZEN to receive a new or renewal driver's license. As part of this same rule change, the DPS is also proposing to make an ~exception~ for ~ALIENS~ (exclusively), making it possible for FOREIGN NATIONALS to be issued driver's licenses in this state without having to submit an SSN. The authors of these proposed changes are: Captain B.W. Henderson, Jack Curtis, and Major Rosco Howell. The DPS contact person for the proposed changes is Thomas D. Simon P.O. Box 1511 Montgomery, Alabama, 36012-1511, (334)-242-4392. Alabamians may obtain a copy of the proposed rules from the Alabama Legislative Reference Service. Although the official comment period ended September 6th, they may still be receptive to comments if timely submitted. I personally am still awaiting the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling on my Petition for Certiorari in my case seeking a religious exception to the SSN requirement premised upon the recently adopted Religious Freedom Amendment to the Alabama Constitution. My case has been pending in the courts for more than a year now while I must carry on daily without a valid driver's license. (It now appears that, if I were an alien instead of an Alabama Citizen the state would be doing my bidding for me at taxpayer expense.) Scott ----[SSN Article]---- http://www.gopbi.com/partners/pbpost/epaper/editions/today/news_d3a87a5e62 5e b17300bc.html Millions using fake Social Security numbers By Larry Lippman, Palm Beach Post Washington Bureau Friday, September 20, 2002 WASHINGTON -- Millions of people in America are using made-up or stolen Social Security numbers -- some of which may be used by criminals or terrorists, a congressional panel was told Thursday. James B. Lockhart III, deputy Social Security commissioner, said approximately 10 million Social Security numbers a year do not match up with their proper names. Though some mistakes might be caused by clerical errors, "many millions" are fraudulent. Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr., R-Fort Lauderdale, who chaired the joint meeting of the House Social Security and Immigration subcommittees, said that since last year's Sept. 11 attacks concern has increased that terrorists might use fraudulent Social Security numbers to build identities. "As each day passes, we learn more about the degree to which terrorists use stolen identities and false Social Security numbers to establish cover employment, driver's licenses and credit cards -- all enabling them to live within our borders and plan their crimes against Americans," Shaw said. Lockhart said several of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers used made-up Social Security numbers. Despite increased efforts to curb falsification of Social Security numbers and catch people who have stolen others' numbers, Lockhart said employers could do more to check on their workers. "Any employer can come in and verify a Social Security number," Lockhart said. "It's not being used as well as it should be, and we're trying to get the word out that we have the system and it's not being used." Social Security Inspector General James G. Huse Jr. urged Congress to toughen penalties for identity theft, limit the use and display of Social Security numbers and require that government and private sources be used to cross-check the identities of people presenting Social Security numbers to employers and government agencies. Shaw has introduced a bill that would prohibit the sale of Social Security numbers and limit the use of Social Security numbers by government agencies. Among other restrictions, it would prohibit states from using Social Security numbers as driver license numbers. |
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