DPS Scraps Plans for Driver's License Checkpoints

The Texas Department of Public Safety had scrapped a plan to set up driver's license checkpoints on state highways.

The proposal faced strong lawmaker opposition, and suspicions that the checkpoints were meant to catch illegal immigrants.

DPS commission chairman Allan Polunsky asked the attorney general's office in September for an opinion about whether the checkpoints would be legal. On Friday, Polunsky said he would withdraw the request.

A DPS spokesman said the proposal never had any connection to immigration issues.

But some lawmakers were suspicious. In August, the DPS commission issued new rules for driver's license applicants to prove they are here legally.

During a commission meeting Friday, Polunsky said it was not appropriate to proceed with the proposal at this time.