Nineteen states have laws in place that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license, including Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington. There about 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, according to a 2016 report from the American Immigration Council. The bill still needs to go through a committee for review, but the deadline for that review has now been delayed until March. 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. Legal Statement. 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. Join us. Fattman said local elections officials in his district had contacted him expressing concerns about the topic, and bill backers fired back that the state already has protections in place to prevent ineligible residents from registering to vote. 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. 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. 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 A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate would override a potential veto by Baker. Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. "If somebody can collect the signatures and put a question before the voters, then obviously the voters get a shot at it," Baker said. Our lives are safer when every single driver has to pass a road test, a vision test, and obtain insurance.. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial reform, which has drawn skepticism from Baker and split voters. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. By making all immigrants eligible for a driver's license, we make it possible for all drivers to drive in a safe, secure manner, she said. The bill still must be approved by the Massachusetts Senate, also controlled by Democrats, before heading to Baker. Those seeking a license must present at least two documents. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. She's covered politics, immigration, incarceration, and health for The Guardian, DigBoston, The Boston Globe, and The Associated Press. A No vote on the question would repeal the law (H.4805) that is scheduled to make illegal immigrants eligible to obtain drivers licenses starting on July 1, 2023. Here's what we know. "We still need to do something like that if we really want to get our arms around this.". Report on 2014 legislation shows most domestic workers don't get basic rights and employers aren't trying to comply. They made their voices heard on Wednesday afternoon. Maloney said she believes its absolutely possible to collect the signatures necessary to get on the ballot in November. I know that the economic purpose of immigration is to depress wages, Kropper said. Sen. Sonia Chang-Daz, a Boston Democrat, added that in many of them, the rate of uninsured drivers and hit-and-run crashes dropped after implementation of the policy. Further, newly-licensed drivers are likely to generate an additional $5 million per year in tax revenue once the law is fully rolled out. Here's what we know. But for How Long? "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. About 7% are undecided. Senate Democrats are also hoping for a two-thirds majority vote. And this time they could actually pass. Immigration reform advocates and some public safety leaders have pressed, often loudly, for more than a decade to grant residents without legal status in the U.S. some form of access to driver's licenses. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. During the debate over the bill Thursday, SHNS reported, the five Democrats and three Republicans argued for having drivers licenses issued to undocumented immigrants reflect their undocumented status in some form. The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state, a 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. Dongpeng Debao Commercial Center. Additional drivers licenses equal more revenue through application fees, Gomez said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Thats bad policy. Analysis: Mass. But youve found it. All the fears and the arguments and the objections have fallen short, said Gonzalez. Booming inflation intertwining with a runaway-train housing market have created major struggles for voters, who appear more likely in new polling to have economic issues top of mind. 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 identification document or certified copy of a birth certificate. Republican Gov. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. 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.". The Democratic-controlled Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed a bill that will allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. No. A second kind of identification could include an unexpired drivers license from any US state or territory, a birth certificate, a valid unexpired foreign national identification card or foreign drivers license, or a marriage certificate issued in Massachusetts. Road safety and immigration reform advocates spent years unsuccessfully pressing lawmakers to act, arguing that expanding license access would ensure undocumented immigrants who already live in Massachusetts are properly tested before getting on the road and rein in their fears of law enforcement entanglement. DeSantis detailed the list of legislative proposals during a press conference in Jacksonville on Thursday, urging Florida state legislators to approve the initiatives that would increase criminal penalties for human smugglers, enforce a statewide ban on employers hiring illegal aliens, and prohibit counties from issuing drivers licenses to "Leah and I will not sit by idly and watch the consequences of this bill take away the safety and democratic rights of Massachusetts residents. That surplus-bound outlook is, well, pick your description from the latest batch offered this week: "rosy," as Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Eileen McAnneny put it; "absolutely unprecedented," in the words of MTF's Executive Vice President Doug Howgate; or "just crazy," as Baker told business leaders. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Baker on Monday said his administration would "start the process of implementing it pretty much immediately.". 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. 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. |Profile
the bill would go into effect on July 1, 2023, and could help an estimated 78,000 people in Massachusetts apply for a standard Massachusetts drivers license, Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2021/06/24/proponents-opponents-lay-out-arguments-against-drivers-licenses-for-illegal-immigrants-in-massachusetts/, EightPillars of the Modern Democratic Party. Maureen Maloney and Kevin Dube filed paperwork with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Monday to create the Fair And Secure Massachusetts committee, intending to repeal drivers licenses for illegal aliens, according to one of the forms. 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. However, the opposition felt as though it may benefit big business at the expense of the American worker. It basically means, in some respects, the Registry is going to be flying blind with respect to what it issues when it issues these licenses. "This bill would provide broad benefits to our municipalities. Maloneys son was killed in 2011 by a drunk driver who did not have legal authorization to live in the United States. How legitimate are those concerns? ". Undocumented workers in some states must choose between driving illegally and risking exposure to the virus by sharing rides. We're 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. Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions In MA Favor A Moonbow? REP. GOODEN INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND USE OF BIOMETRICS TO IDENTIFY MIGRANTS COMING ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER, Massachusetts Gov. Nick Collins of Boston, Anne Gobi of Spencer, Marc Pacheco of Taunton, Walter Timilty of Milton and John Velis of Westfield voted against the bill, as did all three Republican senators Bruce Tarr of Gloucester, Ryan Fattman of Sutton and Patrick O'Connor of Weymouth. Story tips can be sent tolouis.casiano@fox.com. She said she wants to leave the measure up to the voters, citing the Globe-Suffolk University poll. Charlie Baker's opposition. New to NewBostonPost? By Jasper Goodman Updated June 23, 2021, 5:25 p.m. UL/ CUL Constant Volatge LED Power Supply, UL/ CUL Constant Current LED Power Supply, Room 8055, 5th floor. It's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. Allowing undocumented immigrants in Connecticut to obtain driver's licenses may have reduced hit-and-run crashes in the state. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. When Massachusetts House and Senate leaders can get most or all of their Democrats on board behind a bill, their supermajority margins render the governor all but inconsequential to what becomes state law. A political committee began the process to repeal a new law to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses, just four days after legislators voted to make Massachusetts the 17th state to do that. "It's never easy to collect signatures. Secretary of State William Galvin has publicly refuted that claim. Critics of the measure have argued that drivers licenses are a privilege that should not be offered to those not in the country legally. And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. (Thomas Kurmeier via Getty Images), "We are a nation of immigrants. 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?. In November, voters in Massachusetts will decide on rejecting a state law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a drivers license. Stay up to date with everything Boston. Immigrants are being squeezed under kitchen tables, into church basements and into shelters, they say. But the legislature gets the final word. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Critics contend it could have negative impacts on public safety and could threaten the electoral process. The law, signed by Gov. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. The formal legislative session ends July 31. Some who opposed the bill agreed with Gomez on one part of his testimony: that it is a pro-business bill. New to NewBostonPost? Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. "I don't see this the same way the House and the Senate see it," Baker said Monday. "I consistently voted against this bill and I remain opposed to its passage into law.". Those who testified largely stuck to the same talking points: that immigrants need drivers licenses to get to work and doctors appointments, that they play a key role in the states workforce, that it would prevent some hit-and-run accidents, that it would result in more Bay State residents with car insurance, and that it would give the state some additional revenue because of licensing and registration fees. Charlie Baker, who has opposed similar legislation in the past. But youve found it. The Senate, which passed the final version of the immigrant license bill with a veto-proof 32-8 vote, is expected to override Baker's veto during its formal session The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. Baker's Driver's License Bill Veto. 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