Sen. David Brinkley, a Republican who represents Frederick and Carroll counties, testified before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday. He is one of three state lawmakers sponsoring such legislation this year.

The bill would require people to show proof of their immigration status before they could obtain a license. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have such a requirement.

"We have to get Maryland to the place where our documents have integrity," Brinkley said.

Maryland Secretary of Transportation John Porcari also testified in support of the bill.

The measure could have an increased impact in Frederick County when combined with a local program to check the immigration status of anyone arrested in the county.

That was the concern of Walkersville resident Tony Naranjo, who testified at the hearing on behalf of two friends he met at church.

The couple have lived in the U.S. for 15 years, when they came to visit relatives and decided they wanted to raise a family in Frederick County. Naranjo declined to identify the couple for fear they would be deported. Naranjo said they paid a man $8,000 to help them obtain legal status, but later found out he was not a lawyer. The man took their money without doing the job he was paid to do.

He has since fled the country and is sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Naranjo said.

The couple own a business and are raising their children.

Without a driver's license, they fear their family will be split apart, Naranjo said. The Frederick County Sheriff's Office is working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to check the immigration status of people who are detained, sometimes for traffic stops.

"(The couple) are not asking for a handout or charity like so many in their position have been pictured," Naranjo said in his testimony. "They are only asking for a helping hand in realizing the rest of their dreams."

The argument did not convince Brinkley, who said people should go through the legal process if they want to live in the country.

It is up to the federal government to develop policies and determine how people obtain legal status, he said.

"We're fed up with Maryland being a sanctuary state when it comes to these individuals."

John T. Kuo, administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, said he thinks a legal presence requirement is important to prevent fraud.

He thinks many people in the country have obtained Maryland licenses illegally, but do not live in the state.

A toll-free number set up to grant licenses to noncitizens received 1 million calls from all over the country, particularly up and down the East Coast, he said.

Sen. Alex Mooney, a Republican who represents Frederick and Washington counties and sits on the Judicial Proceedings Committee, supports the requirement. He thinks a bill requiring legal presence will pass this year. But it may leave loopholes, depending on how regulations are written, he said.

"It'll probably pass, but the question is will the effect be what the supporters of the bill want to happen?"

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.