The Department of Homeland Security has notified Senator Susan Collins that it has granted Maine a REAL ID extension. On Monday, which was the original deadline day for states to request an extension, Senator Collins successfully negotiated with the Department to provide Maine additional time to make a request.
In exchange for the extension, Maine agreed to work to address the issue of illegal aliens receiving driver’s licenses in the State. Senator Collins released this statement:
“This extension provides welcome relief to Mainers who would have suffered tremendous inconveniences had this extension not been requested and granted.
“I do not believe that any state, including Maine, should give driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. This problem with Maine's license law was highlighted earlier this week when a Massachusetts man, arrested in a driver’s license scheme, told authorities that Maine is known among Brazilians as the place to get an illegal driver’s license.
"On Monday, I convinced DHS Secretary Chertoff to refrain from rejecting Governor Baldacci’s earlier letter to the Department, but instead to keep negotiating with the Governor and to give Maine additional time to request an extension. For the sake of all Mainers, it is good news that the Governor made this request and that it was granted by DHS.
“I will continue to press for federal funding to help the State improve its law so that illegal aliens can no longer receive Maine licenses."