Department of Safety Suspends CFD Program

Today the Safety Department suspended a state program that allows immigrants to drive legally.

Since the “certificate for driving” or CFD program began in May 2004, 51-thousand immigrants have received a one-year permit after giving proof they live in Tennessee. State officials say 80-percent of those are likely illegal aliens.Tennessee Safety Commissioner Gerald Nicely says state employees are not trained to determine the authenticity of documents like utility bills and other proofs of residency.

“Immigration is essentially a federal issue, but insuring the security of Tennesseans is a state issue, and it’s one that both the governor and I take very seriously and is the reason for the steps we are taking today.”

The indefinite suspension of the program is part of a state-wide overhaul of the Safety Department. It also follows a federal bribery investigation in which a Middle Tennessee driving school is accused of paying license examiners to provide licenses and certificates to illegal immigrants.

From now until March 5th, the state will not issue any CFD’s. After that applicants must prove legal status in the U-S. Nicely says the state is not revoking current licenses, but they will not be renewed until the program is reinstated.