Monday, May 26, 2008

Counties use loopholes in Georgia law to provide auto plates to illegals

Illegal aliens cannot get auto registrations in Georgia. Except, that is, if they’re in certain counties.

Though there’s a year-old law requiring immigrants to show a valid visa to get a tag, one county has interpreted the state law differently, leading to more lenient requirements.

In Fulton County, the Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner, Angie Lewis, says “We’re not interested in knowing whether they’re illegal or not. That’s not our role. We’re registering cars.” She points to an exemption to the law that says a “nonresident” can use a foreign driver’s license, or a license from another state, to get a tag. The county requires the person to have a utility bill in his or her name that proves residency in Fulton County, Lewis said.

In DeKalb County, steady numbers of illegal immigrants register themselves as corporations to get around the law. That works because a corporation does not need to show a Georgia driver’s license. That’s not as easy to do in Cobb and Gwinnett counties, which require a county business license to prove the company exists.

The number of tag applications for corporate cars in DeKalb County has shot from zero to about 30 percent of the tag and title business in the last year. A corporation does not need a Georgia driver’s license for a tag. The Georgia Office of the Secretary of State is aware of the issue and wants legislation to tighten this loophole, office spokesman Matt Carrothers said.

Motor vehicle tax revenues actually increased in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Cobb from 2006 to 2007.

2 comments:

  1. It's too bad that our legislators can't realize that this kind of action sets the example for the young people and is the reason for the lawlessness that goes on in Dekalb County. And when these people move to surrounding counties it carries it there. Illegals are creating havoc in our schools and communities. No way should they be allowed amnesty. When citizens commit crimes, they are punished. When illegals commit crimes......send them back from whence they came.

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  2. Absolutely amazing! At least Gwinnett & Cobb have taken measures to prevent illegal immigrants from registering cars under 'corporate' guidelines.

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