Gary D. Finch

     In Albany this week, DMV testing of new scanning equipment revealed another security flaw in the governor’s plan to issue state driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. 

     “We’ve learned even more disturbing news about Governor Eliot Spitzer’s unlawful proposal to give illegal aliens driver’s licenses,” said Finch.  “Not only does the governor want to ease security, but his administration is depending on expensive, faulty verification equipment to scan other forms of identification, such as foreign passports.”

     The machinery has shortcomings that have difficulties telling the difference between real and forged materials.  While running tests on the equipment, the Department of Motor Vehicles’ fraud unit found that the scanners routinely declared bogus ID documents as valid.  The equipment regularly failed to recognize counterfeit, U.S. issued resident alien cards and bogus state driver’s licenses.  Even documents that clearly looked like forgeries still passed the tests.

     “With just six weeks left until his plan goes into effect, I believe today’s news shows poor policy measures coming from the governor’s office.  This is another reason why the governor should rescind his actions and include the public and Legislature in policy changes,” concluded Finch.