Joe Pyrah

Driving is a privilege, not a right. And while illegal immigrants don't have the rights of citizens, they will retain the privilege of staying behind the wheel.

"Utah, I feel, is a magnet state," he said in support of House Bill 239.

It wasn't enough to sway the majority of committee members, who held to their belief that the cards provide more protection for citizens.

"I think that the statistics have shown the driver privilege card actually increases the chances that someone is going to have insurance," said Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City.

There are more than 40,000 people with the cards in Utah, with 76 percent of them carrying insurance, according to studies.

But that doesn't address the issue of national security, said Donnelson and others in favor of rescinding the cards. There is no underlying method to know who the illegal immigrants really are, and issuing them the driving cards only enhances their legitimacy.

"Are they terrorists?" Donnelson asked.

A related bill heard afterward had a much easier time. Rep. Brad Daw's efforts to tighten restrictions on driver privilege cards passed the committee unanimously.

House Bill 171 clarifies language in the law, stating that the cards can only be used for driving and to obtain car insurance. It cannot be used to buy alcohol, firearms or medication. Also, if a card holder has a vehicle but no insurance, he will lose the card.

The Legislature has faced multiple immigration-reform bills this session, feeling pressure from all sides of the issue. Hundreds of thousands of e-mails have been received and demonstrations are being held repeatedly in the Capitol Rotunda. The Senate passed sweeping reform on Monday -- via Senate Bill 81 -- that includes everything from local enforcement of federal laws to which companies can contract with the state.