Lawmakers have long considered drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. February 16, 2022 20 BOSTON (AP) The Massachusetts House approved a bill Wednesday that would let immigrants in the country illegally obtain state drivers licenses. But youve found it. 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. "There were a lot of people who wanted to put a January 1 implementation date on this, and he said 'no, there's no way the state could possibly be ready to do this in January,' and he made it in July," Baker said. The bill, H.4805, would allow those without legal status to apply for a driver's license if they can show proof of their identity and residency in Massachusetts. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. The 120-36 vote means the bill won the support of more than two-thirds of lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House enough to override a potential veto by Baker. I dont support drivers licenses for people who are undocumented, Baker said during a 2014 GBH debate. An aide to Baker said he supports existing state laws that allow those in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). 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 Vote No On All, Massachusetts Bill Would Provide Free College For Illegal, Massachusetts Senate Bill Would Provide In-State Tuition To, With Howitzers and Helicopters, Western States Trigger, Three Massachusetts Members of Congress Backing, Elizabeth Warren Wants To See More Defense Contractors, Maura Healey To Release Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget This Week, West Roxbury State Rep Cashing In With Massachusetts Biotechnology Council Gig. State Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) was among those who cited economic reasons for giving drivers licenses to illegals. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "It's never easy to collect signatures. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. The Massachusetts House on Wednesday voted to override the governor's veto of the driver's license bill. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. ", Chris Doughty, who is also running for governor as a Republican, circulated a petition on his campaign website in the wake of the override slamming the move and calling for voters to "tell the Legislature right now that you are AGAINST this decision.". Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. The state House passed a similar bill by a veto-proof 120-36 margin in February. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he would support a ballot question to repeal the legislation, according to statement from his campaign. The bill would open up access to the former license type, which cannot be used to board a flight or access a federal building, regardless of immigration status. By 2019, 50,000 undocumented immigrants had taken written exams, vision tests, and road tests to get drivers licenses. Critics contend it could have negative impacts on public safety and could threaten the electoral process. Rep. Paul Frost, a Republican from Auburn, said it would encourage immigrants to come to Massachusetts without trying to obtain legal status. A Suffolk University-Boston Globe poll of 800 Massachusetts residents published Monday found that 46.6% of residents oppose the measure, while 46.1% support it. Even Baker, who argued that allowing immigrants without legal status to apply for standard driver's licenses could spiral into ineligible residents registering to vote, accepted that he was fighting a losing battle. We always have," Baker told the crowd at a New England Council event. Licensing allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.. Baker on Monday said his administration would "start the process of implementing it pretty much immediately.". |Products Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. BOSTON (AP) The Massachusetts House approved a bill Wednesday that would let immigrants in the country illegally obtain state drivers licenses. View All Newsletters. These newly-licensed drivers will generate about $6 million in initial fee revenue over the first three years. Nobody has filed paperwork for a referendum yet, according to Secretary of State Bill Galvins office, but the group is expected to soon. 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. However, while the legislation is backed by some local and law enforcement leaders, critics say others have refrained from taking a stance on the issue. More than 100 lawmakers have signed onto bills that would make Massachusetts the 17th state to give undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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. 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.. A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers' licenses has passed the Massachusetts Senate. More on Driver's Licenses. Critics of the measure have argued that drivers licenses are a privilege that should not be offered to those not in the country legally. Lawmakers voted this week to override his veto of a bill that will allow illegal immigrants in the state to apply for a driver's license. The state Senate voted 32-8 despite Baker's objection and a day after the House voted 119-36 on the same measure, dubbed the Work and Family Mobility Act. Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a law that allows those in the U.S. illegally to obtain a drivers license. Charlie Bakers veto. Otherwise, a more common initiative petition likely could not go before voters until 2024, more than a year after the July 1, 2023 start date on which immigrants without legal status can begin applying for licenses. The override was not the only display of political strength Democrats made this week. ", "Green card holders are required to explicitly demonstrate lawful presence, OK? Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Thats bad policy. 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 formal legislative session ends July 31. On Thursday, Crighton said, On the issue of voting, weve debunked it again and again, and again.. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. Crighton noted in his speech that the law will require the Secretary of State to keep tabs on the voter registration process to be sure nothing goes amiss. 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. If approved, undocumented immigrants could only acquire standard drivers licenses but not federally authorized REAL ID-compliant versions. The bill still must be approved by the Massachusetts Senate, also controlled by Democrats, before heading to Baker. As a result, millions of voters will have no alternatives in the House and Senate if, say, they are frustrated by wherever their elected legislators land on tax relief, an area where the cloudy outlook has yet to give way to sunshine. To apply for a drivers license, immigrants will have to show two documents proving their date of birth and identity, like an unexpired foreign passport, consular City hopes state legislature boosts shelter aid. After implementing a similar law, Connecticut saw a reduction of hit-and run crashes, and a decline in the number of people found guilty of unlicensed driving, an investigation by the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting found. (Thomas Kurmeier via Getty Images), "We are a nation of immigrants. Whether it's Healey or someone else, the next governor will have their work cut out on a series of intimidating and harrowing obstacles even if the state remains on good fiscal footing. Those people who have elected you to protect them, not just physically protect them in the communities they live in but to protect their jobs, their livelihood, their wages, to give them an opportunity to work hard to provide for their families, to save for a rainy day, opportunities for their children to have summer jobs, opportunities for their 18-year-olds high school graduates to begin careers lifelong careers. She was a reporter for CommonWealth Magazine, and senior immigration reporter for Law360. The conference committee that took months to produce an accord agreed to give prospective voters 10 more days before an election to register, but they opted against a Senate-approved policy allowing new voters to register and cast a ballot in one trip to the polls. Applicants who cannot provide proof of lawful "If somebody can collect the signatures and put a question before the voters, then obviously the voters get a shot at it," Baker said. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. To get a license, immigrants would have to present either a valid unexpired passport or valid unexpired consular identification and an unexpired driver's license from a U.S. state or territory, a birth certificate, a valid unexpired foreign national identification card or driver's license, or a Massachusetts marriage certificate. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Countries that have consular offices each have their own varied requirements to get an identification card. Undocumented workers in some states must choose between driving illegally and risking exposure to the virus by sharing rides. Despite the overwhelming support from the Legislature, Massachusetts residents are split on allowing undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses, a recent poll showed. McCraw said that Asian Americans were targeted in hopes of finding "look-a-likes" for undocumented immigrants of Asian descent. UL/ CUL Constant Volatge LED Power Supply, UL/ CUL Constant Current LED Power Supply, Room 8055, 5th floor. The Driving Families Forward coalition, which includes a range of civil rights, immigration reform and organized labor groups, praised the Senate's vote and called for Baker to sign the legislation, arguing it "provides all the safeguards necessary to answer any doubts he may has (sic) raised previously. Zip code: 510375 The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. We fully support submitting this question to the people to give them a direct say in their future," Diehl said Thursday without making clear. Here's what we know. "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. All rights reserved. BOSTON (CBS) - The Senate passed a bill that would give immigrants without legal status a pathway to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. Massachusetts to allow illegal immigrants to apply for drivers Connecticut saw a reduction of hit-and run crashes, and a decline in the number of people found guilty of unlicensed driving, a 2019 investigation by the GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting found. Charlie Baker delivers his state of the state address Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Boston. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The bill still requires approval by the Massachusetts Senate, also controlled by Democrats, before heading to Baker. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The vote was 32 to 8, with five Democrats voting with the chambers Republicans against the bill, State House News Service (SHNS) reported. Allowing undocumented immigrants to get around more easily would allow them to increase their earning potential and employers right now are having trouble recruiting qualified workers amid a time of record low unemployment in the state. If passed into law, Massachusetts would join 16 other states and the District of Columbia which already have similar laws. But youve found it. "It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.". Nineteen states have laws in place that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license, including Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington. The bill still needs to go through a committee for review, but the deadline for that review has now been delayed until March. MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get state driver's licenses. Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Power Lines Crash Onto Cars, Trucks for Blocks in Stoneham; Cause Unknown, Rescuers Capture Bald Eagle Believed to Be Critically Sickened by Rat Poison. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. This is what I keep hearing from my district every time I talk about this issue. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Proponents of the Work and Family Mobility Act have long said it will improve road safety and assuage immigrants worries of being revealed as undocumented and face deportation because of a routine traffic stop or accident. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Under the legislation, the Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. Legal Statement. If the committee collects 40,120 certified signatures by Aug. 24 for a local election official to certify, and then file with the Secretary of States office by Sept. 7, the question can go on the November 2022 ballot. Sixteen other states already allow undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses. Further, newly-licensed drivers are likely to generate an additional $5 million per year in tax revenue once the law is fully rolled out. Now dip your toe in the water for two bucks , Five Social Policy Changes Maura Healey's Administration May, Unsure About Massachusetts Ballot Questions? The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. There about 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, according to a 2016 report from the American Immigration Council. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Gov. The Senate voted 32-8 Thursday. 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. Drivers licenses for these people will only serve to encourage more undocumented people to move to Massachusetts.. Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. A drivers license allows people to get to work, but also allows people to get to the doctor and make sure their health care needs are being met, Barber said during the hearing Wednesday, June 23. The House approved its version of the license access bill in February with a 120-36 vote, well above the number of representatives in support that would be needed to override a veto. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Action would put mail-in voting and more early voting days on the table for this fall's elections, but for a majority of the legislators responsible for the bill, it won't make all that much of a difference. Massachusetts is on its way to joining 16 other states that grant drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. 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. This law provides driver's licenses to applicants who submit a valid foreign passport or consular identification and proof of residency, regardless of legal 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. Existing state law prohibits anyone "who does not have lawful presence in the United States" from acquiring either a standard Massachusetts or expanded REAL ID-compliant driver's license. State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) painted it as a pro-business bill. The bill also states that immigrants eligible for the drivers licenses would not be registered to vote as a result. 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 on the idea of allowing people without legal immigration status to acquire Massachusetts licenses, according to a new poll. They'd have until Aug. 24 to submit signatures to local election officials for certification and then Sept. 7 to submit them to Secretary of State William Galvin's office. 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. Both Maloney and Dube supported Diehl at last month's Republican convention in Springfield. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. It's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. 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. Thats because the states Republican governor, Charlie Baker, opposes giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Wakeman said the campaign is still working to collect the initial 10 signatures required to launch a referendum campaign. 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. The bill thwarts the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their efforts for investigations into illegal immigration and crime.. Not to mention, drivers with licenses are better equipped to obtain car insurance. The legislation, approved on a 120-36 vote, would require individuals provide documentation to obtain a license including proof of their identity, residency in the state and date of birth. All the fears and the arguments and the objections have fallen short, said Gonzalez. "But I think we've got enough interest to do it. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. The measure is about being safe on the road, according to Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. We believe that could lead to stigma, open up opportunities to discriminate, Crighton said. We couldn't do it without you. Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China) Baker vetoed the bill last month, saying in a letter to the House that it "undoes a critical safeguard to the driver's license issuance process" and that the Registry of Motor Vehicles doesn't have the expertise or ability to verify many types of documents from other countries. Baker voiced his concerns about the bill Thursday morning, SHNS reported. 109. Legislators have several more steps to complete before the bill can become state law. Undocumented immigrants will still "And everyone deserves to feel safe and get to work, pick up children and be a part of their communities without fear. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), 2 victims of fatal Salem head-on crash identified, 79 years later, soldier killed in WWII to be buried in Maine, Police identify woman found dead in Merrimack River. 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.". Opponents of undocumented drivers license bill point to potential for illegal voting. |Service Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial 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. Both of those ways of casting ballots proved popular and mostly successful as temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, improving voter access despite threats posed by the virus. Outside of spending levels, the budget talks -- which opened with brief public remarks before moving into private -- will feature some significant policy decisions as well, including a Senate proposal to create new licensing protections for Massachusetts reproductive health and gender-affirming care providers who may face legal challenges originating in other states. By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter. The House voted 120-36 in favor of the measure. The state Senate joined the House Thursday in overriding a veto by Gov. Whelan said the new rules would put too heavy a burden on those issuing licenses. They made their voices heard on Wednesday afternoon. Additional drivers licenses equal more revenue through application fees, Gomez said. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! Charlie Baker. By Jasper Goodman Updated June 23, 2021, 5:25 p.m. The bill would also make it less likely for immigrants to leave the scene of an accident because they would face less of a threat of deportation with a drivers license, backers said. The new law will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. 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. The calendar could shape the dynamics at play there. With respect to our Congressional delegation, whos fighting the good fight, do we really think that Congress is going to find consensus on meaningful immigration reform anytime soon?. Stay up to date with everything Boston. New to NewBostonPost? A bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses in Massachusetts is all but law Thursday, passing the Senate with a large enough margin to overrule a veto from Gov.

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