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In one room of the House of Delegates building, a coalition of immigrant and religious groups assailed Thursday what they consider anti-immigrant legislation, centering criticism on a bill that would prevent undocumented residents from obtaining driver's licenses. Meanwhile, Del. Herbert H. McMillan, an Anne Arundel Republican, and a small group of Sept. 11 survivors and victims' families called passage of the bills crucial to preserving national security. The two sides later squared off in a packed House Judiciary Committee hearing. It was the final set of hearings on a group of bills deemed anti- immigrant by a coalition of Asian, Latino and activist or ganizations that hope the legislation will meet the same unsuc cessful fate as last year. "Every single year the Republicans have an agenda attacking us," said Gustavo Torres, executive director of the Latino advocacy group CASA of Maryland. "We are not going to allow this legislation to pass." McMillan's bill would prohibit the Motor Vehicle Administration from issuing driver's licenses to those unable to provide documentation that they are in the United States legally. Current law allows undocumented residents to receive a driver's license provided they have the documents to prove their identity, age and residence. Joan Molinaro of Staten Island, whose son, Carl, was a firefighter killed battling the fires from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, testified about the pain she has suffered from her loss. "We allowed these murderers into this country, and we rewarded them by giving them driver's licenses," she said. "Please tell me how many dead Americans will it take," she said, concluding her testimony. Several lawmakers pointed out that the Sept. 11 terrorists entered the country legally. [more]