A drivers license is essential for economic mobility. The law passed by Massachusetts state lawmakers this summer prohibits immigrants without legal permission to reside in the U.S. from being automatically registered to vote. At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. And it puts tremendous pressure on cities and towns to do the cleanup on the back end.. Charlie Bakers veto. The bill may look simple, but the issue, as we know, is complicated, said Democratic state Rep. William Straus, co-chair of the Legislatures Joint Committee on Transportation. More than 100 lawmakers have signed onto bills that would make Massachusetts the 17th state to give undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain Trying to ensure our drivers licenses have integrity and cannot be misused for various purposes those are important things, and those things dont go away because of the hardships weve heard about.. 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. Mass. ", 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.". New to NewBostonPost? 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.". In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Senate Democrats are |Products Eight other states are considering similar laws. These newly-licensed drivers will generate about $6 million in initial fee revenue over the first three years. Stay up to date with everything Boston. We couldn't do it without you. Brendan Crighton and Adam Gomez will attend, along with advocates. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 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 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. How legitimate are those concerns? We sat down with the chiefs and asked what their concerns were and worked with them. Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. 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. "I am one of those who comes to the chamber concerned about some of the provisions before us, concerned because a driver's license is one of the most, if not the most, recognizable, important pieces of identification in our society, bar none," Tarr, the Republican leader, said at the start of the session. Further, newly-licensed drivers are likely to generate an additional $5 million per year in tax revenue once the law is fully rolled out. 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. 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. Market data provided by Factset. To put the question of whether the law should be repealed on the November ballot, petitioners will need to collect at least 40,120 signatures from registered voters, no more than 10,030 of which can come from a single county, in less than three months. Full transcript of Bidens State of the Union address, Mass. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he would support a ballot question to repeal the legislation, according to statement from his campaign. 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. The Democratic-controlled Massachusetts House of Representatives has passed a bill that will allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. All rights reserved, 53K Mass. Thats a problem, Baker said. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial reform, which has drawn skepticism from Baker and split voters. Legal Statement. 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. 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, joining the Senates three Republicans, SHNS reported. Wakeman said the campaign is still working to collect the initial 10 signatures required to launch a referendum campaign. 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. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. 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 APS ASSESSMENT: False. All rights reserved. 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. 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 This article was updated to include additional comments. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. Idahos bill The bill creates two categories of drivers licenses and non-driver identification cards: federally-compliant REAL ID, which is only available for documented residents, and the Standard Basic drivers license and ID, which will be available to all New Jersey residents regardless of immigration status. Democrat Sens. Some who opposed the bill agreed with Gomez on one part of his testimony: that it is a pro-business bill. The House voted 119-36 and the Senate voted 32-8 to override Baker's veto and make the measure law. 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. 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 Notably, the news service reported, the bill would only allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a standard Massachusetts license, not a Real ID license, which will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings about a year from now. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. We've gained support from a wide range of stakeholders over the course of a number of years, said lead sponsor Sen. Brendan Crighton ahead of the vote on Thursday. Stay up to date with everything Boston. The bill, however, didnt gain Senate Appropriations Committee approval, which was needed because of the BMVs estimated $1.4 million cost to develop the new license. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. "It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.". Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. 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. American Chestnut Trees To Make A Comeback? By Jasper Goodman Updated June 23, 2021, 5:25 p.m. The Massachusetts State House in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. Baker in the past has voiced support for broader voting by mail, and he signed both the temporary law and extensions to it during the public health crisis. And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. If approved, undocumented immigrants could only acquire standard drivers licenses but not federally authorized REAL ID-compliant versions. View All Newsletters. Maloneys son was killed in 2011 by a drunk driver who did not have legal authorization to live in the United States. GOP state committee member Debby Dugan of Watertown expressed similar concerns, and she also said that such a bill is enacted, it would lead to more illegal immigration. 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. In your inbox every Thursday morning. "Certainly, if it's part of our ballot initiative process, that is a concern. 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.". Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. But youve found it. 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 Are we asking them to become experts in foreign documentation and forgery detection? Whelan said. 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. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). The title of both bills An Act Relative To Work and Family Mobility During and Subsequent to the COVID-19 Emergency doesnt mention either drivers licenses or illegal immigrants. Bill sponsor Sen. Brendan Crighton, a Lynn Democrat, argued against this compromise, according to SHNS, saying it would prevent undocumented immigrants from testing for a license, which would go against the point of the bill. 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. 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 House voted 11936 on Wednesday to override the veto. This bill would enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard state drivers license, regardless of immigrant status, while keeping our Commonwealth in full compliance with REAL ID requirements. The title of both bills . "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. 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. Illegal immigrants in Massachusetts will be able to obtain driver's licenses after state lawmakers voted Thursday to override a veto from Republican Gov. 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. We fully support submitting this question to the people to give them a direct say in their future," Diehl said Thursday without making clear. The law, signed by Gov. (Thomas Kurmeier via Getty Images), "We are a nation of immigrants. Both Democratic candidates, Maura Healey and Sonia Chang-Daz, have voiced their support for the veto override. The margin was still more than the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto from the governor. An aide to Baker said he supports existing state laws that allow those in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. Now dip your toe in the water for two bucks $2 for two months. The law specifically mandates that the state Registrar of Motor Vehicles develop procedures and regulations to ensure that license Advocates have long said undocumented immigrants would still be tested before driving, and go through qualifications a citizen driver would have to go through something opponents have pointed out as a concern in the past. I dont support drivers licenses for people who are undocumented, Baker said during a 2014 GBH debate. Charlie Baker and authorizing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Proponents said the measure will improve road safety and assuage immigrants worries of being revealed as undocumented and face deportation because of a routine traffic stop or accident. A campaign filed paperwork Monday with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to create a committee, called "Fair and Secure Massachusetts," seeking to repeal the law enacted over Baker's veto last week. 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. Charlie would become the third state to make it lawful for adults to grow, ingest and give away certain psychedelic plants and fungi. Banking as an Undocumented Immigrant. "That's democracy.". City hopes state legislature boosts shelter aid. State Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) was among those who cited economic reasons for giving drivers licenses to illegals. 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. 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. Lawmakers have long considered drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. But for How Long? 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. View All Newsletters. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. DUTIES. The Senate signed off on the deal and a House vote could come as early as next week. "It sends the wrong message," Frost said. Democrat Sens. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. The House voted 120-36 in favor of the measure. Eli Lilly Will Slash Insulin Costs, Cap Out-Of-Pocket Expenses, FL Man AKA Sedition Panda Charged In Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol Breach: DOJ, CDC Warns Of Extensively-Drug Resistant Stomach Bug, Brothers Kill Groom On Wedding Night: Authorities, Dog Abandoned With Handwritten Note 'A Good Boy,' Loves To Hug & Kiss. 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