News-Record.com

"'This is creating a problem in the Hispanic community because people are driving without licenses,' said Jesus Blanco, an officer on the board of directors for Centro De Accion Latino."

That was by far the most interesting statement in today's story by Amy Dominello headlined, "Latinos question law on licenses."

The state of North Carolina -- for many years a prime destination of illegal immigrants who wanted to procure a driver's license with false documents -- finally has tightened its rules. Now a person has to show a Social Security number or a valid unexpired visa to qualify.

In other words, you're supposed to be a legal resident of the United States to gain the privilege of driving and, more importantly, the card that commonly passes for identification in this country.

Tighter restrictions were prompted by the fact that several of the 9/11 hijackers had obtained driver's licenses (though none from North Carolina). But there's a compelling state interest in keeping anyone in this country illegally from gaining a driver's license.

The argument that these people, if denied a license, will drive anyway just doesn't cut it.

Rather than try to blame the state for unlicensed drivers, Mr. Blanco should help get the word out that driving without a license is a serious offense and that anyone caught doing so, and then found to be an illegal immigrant, can be turned over to immigration authorities for deportation.

And should be.