Sheriffs oppose M88

Letter date: 
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Letter publisher: 
democratherald.com
Letter author: 
David Olen Cross
Letter body: 

Oregon’s voters during the 2014 General Election will have a chance to vote on Senate Bill 833 that will appear before them as Ballot Measure 88.

The passage of Ballot Measure 88 would require the Oregon DMV to grant to persons “who cannot prove legal presence in the United States” a special state issued identification called a driver’s card.

In reaction to the state driver cards’ legislation, sheriffs across the state have stepped forward to oppose the ballot measure.

The Sheriff’s of Oregon Political Action Committee, representing the political and public safety concerns of state’s 36 county sheriffs, has come out in opposition to the legislation with the following statement: “The Sheriffs of Oregon support the citizens veto referendum No. 301 to overturn SB 833. We urge a NO vote.”

Tom Bergin, Clatsop County Sheriff, past President of the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, made these statements on the driver cards’ legislation: “It is wrong to provide special driver’s licenses to people who cannot prove legal presence in the United States. For Oregon to do so, will only enhance the ability for criminal behavior, thus creating a larger risk to our citizens’ public safety. The Sheriffs of Oregon urge you to oppose this measure.”

Tim Mueller, former Linn County Sheriff, expressed these thoughts on driver cards: “Giving a person a driver’s license who is in this country illegally is flat out irresponsible and does nothing to protect the citizens of this state.”

Oregon voters should heed the wisdom of Oregon’s sheriffs, who have joined together with the citizens from Protect Oregon Driver Licenses to oppose driver cards for those “who cannot prove legal presence in the U.S.” and vote “No” on Ballot Measure 88.