Minnesota state legislators recently passed the Drivers License for All bill (HF 4), which could pave the way for undocumented immigrants to get valid drivers licenses. The Minnesota Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow illegal immigrants the ability to obtain a U.S. driver's license without requiring proof they are in the country lawfully. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. How legitimate are those concerns? It's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. The poll was conducted from April 24 to April 28 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Currently, thirteen states and the District of Columbia have made a major investment in highway and public safety by allowing undocumented residents to apply for limited-purpose license and Over the course of Thursday's debate, senators beat back attempts by Republicans and a handful of Democrats to distinguish the licenses that could be awarded to undocumented immigrants, either by offering them entirely separate "driver privilege cards" or by requiring a standard Massachusetts license issued to an immigrant without legal status to be printed in a different color or declare that it is not eligible as a form of identification. The Massachusetts House on Wednesday voted to override the governor's veto of the driver's license bill. Charlie Baker's veto of an immigrant driver's license access bill marched around the State House in Boston on Thursday, June 2, 2022. While the legislation has now cleared both chambers with more than three-quarters of elected lawmakers in support, Bay Staters in general are nearly evenly split Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "They changed the argument, they changed the debate -- you changed the debate," Mariano said, referring to advocates in the audience, "and made it into a public safety issue. When Sen. William Brownsberger read out the final result, attendees in the Senate gallery erupted into applause and cheers some shouting "thank you" loud enough to prompt Brownsberger to bang the gavel and ask them to quiet down. "We can't have this in here. Sixteen other states already allow undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses. "Sorry, we can't have this," Brownsberger told the crowd. Huanhua Road Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. On Wednesday, State House Speaker Ron Mariano said the legislation will "increase safety on our roads by ensuring that everyone has access to a drivers license, regardless of immigration status.". "Allowing parents to drive their kids to school, take them to doctor's appointments or be in charge of carpooling to take their kids to soccer, all without the concern they may be separated if they are pulled over, will allow children of undocumented immigrants to breath and have a sigh of relief," said Sen. Adam Gomez, a Springfield Democrat and one of the bill's main sponsors. Opioid overdose deaths reached a new high in 2021, according to data released this week, fueled in part by the widespread presence of fentanyl and the anguish imposed by the pandemic. Stay up to date with everything Boston. If passed into law, immigrants would qualify for a Massachusetts standard Democrat Sens. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial State House News Service | The governor said at the time that the legislation would create problems for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which he said lacks the expertise to verify the types of identification immigrants use from other countries, a requirement of the bill. An Act Relative To Work and Family Mobility During and Subsequent to the COVID-19 Emergency doesnt mention either drivers licenses or illegal immigrants. Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. Both Democratic candidates, Maura Healey and Sonia Chang-Daz, have voiced their support for the veto override. Baker vetoed the bill on May 27, saying the Registry of Motor Vehicles did not have the capacity to verify the identities of immigrants without legal status and arguing that the bill "significantly increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote.". Advocates and lawmakers are holding a ceremonial bill signing to mark the new law on Monday afternoon which will be going into effect without the signature of Gov. Illegal immigrants in Massachusetts will be able to obtain driver's licenses after state lawmakers voted Thursday to override a veto from Republican Gov. And I'm disappointed that our governor chose to veto it, and ignore the public safety argument, and get hung up on questions that we think we answered properly to him.". Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Attorney General Maura Healey and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Daz both voiced their support of the veto override on Twitter. We fully support submitting this question to the people to give them a direct say in their future," Diehl said Thursday without making clear. Opponents of undocumented drivers license bill point to potential for illegal voting. Were talking about a situation now where, under the current statute as I understand it, all the rules associated with determining lawful presence are going to go away. Granting drivers licenses to illegal immigration is the wrong approach, he said. Opponents of a new law that will allow immigrants without legal status to seek driver's licenses took a preliminary step Monday toward asking voters to scrap the measure, while Democrats celebrated their success in pushing the bill and overcoming Gov. The House voted 120-36 in favor of the measure. If approved, undocumented immigrants could only acquire standard drivers licenses but not federally authorized REAL ID-compliant versions. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. The Massachusetts House passed a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses in the state in February by a margin that would override a veto as well, according to SHNS. It will also make it possible for immigrants and refugees to go about their lives with more peace of mind, Sweet said. As Beacon Hill moves toward undocumented drivers' licenses, big-city mayors voice support, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. 109. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Thats bad policy. Wakeman worked in 2021 on a trio of ballot question campaigns, including one seeking a statewide voter identification law, that fell short of collecting enough signatures to remain in the mix. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. While GOP lawmakers are not on board, there's a chance Democrats will need to take fewer steps to finalize the elections reform bill than they did the licensing law. "This bill would provide broad benefits to our municipalities. Its why 16 states and the District of Columbia already allow immigrants without legal status to get a drivers license if they meet certain conditions. Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China) Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. Pitching the bill as a road safety and immigration measure, supporters said it would ensure that some of the 185,000 immigrants who already live in Massachusetts without legal status are properly tested before driving and relieve their fears of traffic stops spiraling into devastating consequences. Charlie Previous research by The Pew Charitable Trusts examined the decisions that 10 states and the District of Columbia made when designing and implementing their laws to issue driver’s licenses to unauthorized immigrants. MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get state driver's licenses. The new law will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. A bill that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for Massachusetts driver's licenses, appears poised for passage this week after more than 20 years in the making. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl and lieutenant governor candidate Leah Cole Allen said after Thursday's vote they would back a ballot question asking voters to repeal the new law. "Certainly, if it's part of our ballot initiative process, that is a concern. For instance, in Colombia, theres a document showing the individuals blood type, and in Guinea, applicants need two documents including an unexpired passport, photo ID and/or birth certificate. Under the new law, someone in the country illegally would have to provide a passport or consular identification document to apply for a driver's license. By 2019, 50,000 undocumented immigrants had taken written exams, vision tests, and road tests to get drivers licenses. A long-debated proposal to expand driver's license access to undocumented immigrants took a major step Thursday toward becoming law, clearing the Massachusetts Senate with a strong enough margin to overcome the prospect of Gov. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. At least one document must contain a photograph. Massachusetts Gov. The formal legislative session ends July 31. Ninety-two representatives and 16 senators face neither a declared primary nor a general election opponent, essentially granting them a pleasant stroll into another two years in office with next to no campaigning required, no need to answer to their opponents, and none of those candidate debates and Q&A forums. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Charlie Baker's formal opposition. That's a problem," Baker said Thursday morning. ". House and Senate leaders will need to agree on final language to send to Baker's desk, which they could try to do informally senators previously said the changes they made before bringing the proposal to the floor were technical in nature or by appointing a conference committee. We believe that could lead to stigma, open up opportunities to discriminate, Crighton said. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, Mass. More than a dozen states allow undocumented immigrants to acquire some type of driver's license, though Baker said Monday he believes in most instances they offer a "driver's privilege card" and not a full license. Five Democrats joined the chamber's three Republicans in dissent, but backers still got more than enough favorable votes on record to signal the Senate would clear the two-thirds vote needed to override a potential veto. It could also prevent undocumented immigrants from fleeing police during a traffic stop for the sake of preventing identification as an undocumented immigrant and risking deportation, supporters say, according to SHNS. Convening a ballot question campaign committee is an early step along the road toward putting a referendum before voters, but it still indicates the law could be short-lived if petitioners -- who have support from Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl -- collect enough signatures in the next two and a half months. And it puts tremendous pressure on cities and towns to do the cleanup on the back end.". The bill is now backed by the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police and most Massachusetts sheriffs and district attorneys. Justice Kimberly S. Budd said leaders need to advocate for people who cant afford their own counsel. This session, having amassed enough votes to steamroll a veto, they went for it. "I consistently voted against this bill and I remain opposed to its passage into law.". The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios Massachusetts is on track to become the 17th state to allow immigrants without legal status to obtain state-issued driver's licenses nearly two decades after the proposal first emerged. But the decisive roll calls (119-36 in the House and 32-8 in the Senate) may have just triggered the start of a larger fight. The bill also states that immigrants eligible for the drivers licenses would not be registered to vote as a result. Legislature Overrides Gov. The licenses would not become available until July 1, 2023. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Senate overrides Baker veto: Undocumented immigrants will be able to get driver's licenses, With override, House moves Massachusetts closer to drivers licenses for unauthorized immigrants, Baker vetoes immigrant license access bill. The calendar could shape the dynamics at play there. Legislators have several more steps to complete before the bill can become state law. A Suffolk University-Boston Globe poll of 800 Massachusetts residents published Monday found 46.6% oppose the proposal, 46.1% support it and nearly 7% are undecided. Fanghua Guangyuan Electronics Co., Ltd. Sen. Jim Guthrie (R-McCammon) testifies before the Senate Transportation Committee regarding his bill to make a restricted driver's license available to all Idaho residents regardless of immigration status. Under the legislation, the Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. That included Steve Kropper, co-chairman of Mass Coalition for Immigration Reform, who said he is a registered Democrat. The @ma_senate looks forward to overriding this misguided decision.". The votes were there to pass the bill and Democrats in both branches flexed their political muscles in a 24-hour span to cement the licensing bill as law by clearing the two thirds hurdle needed for a veto override. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. Our lives are safer when every single driver has to pass a road test, a vision test, and obtain insurance.. Although news of a possible repeal effort spread last week, Baker on Monday said he is "not familiar with that process" when asked if he would support the referendum, adding that he "made pretty clear what my rationale was for vetoing the law.". She said the benefits of allowing individuals to apply for a drivers license regardless of immigration status will become quickly apparent. It will also require all drivers to take a driving test and enroll in auto insurance, which will benefit the state financially. Surely, we shouldnt have to rely on Charlie Baker, a Republican, and my former junior high classmate, to veto a measure that harms those at the bottom of the economic ladder.. No. The original version of the bill was introduced almost 20 years ago, and multiple iterations have cropped up and failed, including one from then-state Rep. Marty Walsh in 2007, who is now the U.S. Secretary of Labor. The bill could also act as a lure to those in the country illegally knowing they could get a drivers license in Massachusetts, said Republican Rep. Paul Frost, of Auburn. "I have very grave concerns about the impacts this bill will have on public safety and the integrity of our elections," Rep. Steve Xiarhos, a Republican, said Wednesday on social media. The hearing featured a wide array of supporters of the bills, including various Democrats in the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, Brazilian Worker Center, Rian Immigrant Center (formerly the Irish International Immigrant Center), the Boston Teachers Union, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and both illegal immigrants and legal immigrants (who sometimes testified in foreign languages). House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Hongmei Neon Equipment Factory And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. The hearing featured a wide array of supporters of the bills, including various Democrats in the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. ", "We are once again overcome with happiness, pride and gratitude for today's historic vote in the Massachusetts Senate," 32BJ SEIU Vice President Roxana Rivera and Brazilian Worker Center Executive Director Lenita Reason, who together lead the coalition, said in a joint statement. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wakeman said the campaign is still working to collect the initial 10 signatures required to launch a referendum campaign. I dont support drivers licenses for people who are undocumented, Baker said during a 2014 GBH debate. The MIRA Coalition firmly opposes any and all efforts to repeal the Work and Family Mobility Act, said Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, in a call with GBH. An aide to Baker said he supports existing state laws that allow those in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. This bill is a free ticket to government benefits, Lynch said. The new law will allow immigrants without legal status to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. Milford resident Maureen Maloney, a longtime opponent of the proposal whose son Matthew Denice was killed by a drunk driver who did not have legal status in the U.S., will chair the committee. WebLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Dongpeng Debao Commercial Center. I think the RMV [Registry of Motor Vehicles] is not equipped to properly vet people coming to the United States from over 100 different countries and being able to reliably decipher their documentation that, first of all, in the different language and second of all, for validity.. The final vote in the Senate was 328 to approve the bill over Baker's objection. Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions In MA Favor A Moonbow? But youve found it. Allowing undocumented immigrants in Connecticut to obtain driver's licenses may have reduced hit-and-run crashes in the state. The bill still needs to go through a committee for review, but the deadline for that review has now been delayed until March. Im a businessman, so I should like low wages, but first Im an American and I want the citizens on the bottom to enjoy the American Dream first. Proponents of the bill say it expands access to services for immigrants and helps police if every driver has passed a road test and has an insured and licensed vehicle. Similar ceremonies for other legislation usually feature Baker wielding a pen over the parchment, but in this case it was Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano wielding their override pens. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles Gomez called concerns that the bill would unleash voter fraud a "red herring.". A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate would override a potential veto by Baker. Jun 24, 2021. All the fears and the arguments and the objections have fallen short, said Gonzalez. If he vetoes the bill, it would go back to the Legislature to see if the veto would be overridden. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is a magnet for undocumented people. 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