With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Fernando Montelongo, who served as a student page in the Idaho Senate during the first part of the 2023 legislative session, testified in support of the restricted drivers license bill. In the GBH debate, the Republican nominee for attorney general, Jay McMahon, who is also a Fair and Secure Massachusetts committee member, said license applicants in Massachusetts are automatically registered to vote when their applications are processed, unless they check a box to opt out of becoming an enrolled voter. The Senate voted 32 to 8 in favor of the measure. Applicants under the bill would need to provide proof of their identity, date of birth and residency in Massachusetts. The Secretary of State's officehas certified the number of signaturesneeded to put the repeal efforton the ballot. The ability to get behind a wheel and drive to work, or take your child to a doctors appointment, is something that many of us might take for granted," Spilka said. } background-color: black !important; Guthrie said drivers licenses are a basic necessity and would give all Idahoans 16 and older the opportunity to drive legally. A bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses in Massachusetts is all but law Thursday, passing the Senate with a large enough margin to overrule a veto from Gov.. All rights reserved (About Us). Senate Bill 1081 could reach the Senate floor for a vote by the end of this week. Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address. }, .arguments-bm-widget { We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. 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. The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday voted in favor of a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. State legislature | Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. A valid unexpired drivers license from any United States state or territory; an original or certified copy of a birth certificate; a valid unexpired foreign national identification card; a valid unexpired foreign drivers license; or a marriage certificate or divorce decree issued by any state or territory of the United States. They cant even suspend licenses from people when theyre supposed to, he said. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a driver's license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 200,000 immigrants without legal status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The state is poised to extend driving privileges to an estimated 45,000-85,000 potential drivers over the next three years, according to MassBudget. Those states that have adopted this policy are highlighted in blue below:[2]. } Earlier this year, Secretary of State William Galvin, the states top election official, rebuked Bakers argument though, telling MassLive what the governor is saying makes absolutely no sense at all., Weve definitely spoken with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and we can solve any concern there is about this, Galvin said of the automatic voter registration law. John Milligan, of Fair and Secure Massachusetts, expands on this in his argument explaining the No vote published by the Secretary of States office: In his veto message of this bill, Governor Charlie Baker made it known that the Registry of Motor Vehicles does not have the capability or expertise necessary to verify documents from other countries and notes that, if this bill becomes law, Massachusetts drivers licenses will no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are.Additionally, Governor Baker states the bill specifically restricts the Registrys ability to share citizenship information with entities responsible for ensuring only citizens register to vote and vote in our elections, significantly increasing the likelihood that noncitizens will register to vote. Providing licenses to qualified applicants, regardless of immigration status would ensure more drivers are tested, that they know the rules of the road and comply with mandatory insurance laws, while also serving as a step toward racial equity, Fitzpatrick added. This has nothing to do with immigration. The push to expand access to driver's licenses to qualified immigrants without legal status continues to gain momentum as public health professionals, business leaders, advocates and. The Idaho Capital Sun is the Gem States newest nonprofit news organization delivering accountability journalism on state politics, health care, tax policy, the environment and more. margin-bottom: 5px !important; Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is poised to sign a pair of bills that recently passed the state Senate which restore the voting rights of convicted felons immediately upon release and grant the ability for illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license. You can try, With Senate override vote, driver's license bill becomes law, House votes to override Baker's veto of licensing bill, Baker vetoes immigrant license access bill. "[3], Fair and Secure Massachusetts led the campaign in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4. For that reason, some law enforcement leaders have backed the measure, including the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association. "UndocuGrads: Navigating Graduate School as an Undocumented Student" 2019 Public Policy and International Affairs Program: Open to Undocumented Students; 2018-2019 Peer Engagement and Enrichment Program (PEEP) for Undocumented Students Charlie Baker has expressed his opposition to the measure, which would allow Massachusetts residents without legal immigration status to apply for a standard state driver's license, provided they show certain documents proving their identity. BOSTON (CBS) - The Senate passed a bill that would give immigrants without legal status a pathway to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. It's high time that we let undocumented immigrants live without fear and start honoring their many contributions. Documents not written in English must be submitted with a certified translation. -moz-columns: 1; The registrar of motor vehicles cannot ask or create a record of the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant, and applications cannot be used to obtain the federally-recognized Real ID. State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible. 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."[4]. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, MA Senate GOP Leader Will Press For Driver Privilege Cards' for Immigrants, Mass. 4805) May 27, 2022" accessed May 27, 2022, Petition drive deadlines and requirements, Changes in 2022 to laws governing the initiative process, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Massachusetts_Question_4,_Remove_Proof_of_Citizenship_or_Immigration_Status_for_Driver%27s_License_Applications_Referendum_(2022)&oldid=9049900, Massachusetts 2022 ballot measures, certified, Veto referendum certified for the 2022 ballot, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. Following years of advocacy for the bill, House and Senate Democrats on Thursday enacted the legislation, which supporters say will make the roads safer by granting access to licenses for many undocumented immigrants who are already living throughout the state. COVID strikes, the national food supply chain is rattled, and we momentarily wake up in our state and declare farm workers are sometimes essential when we need the fruits of their labor, Philip Korman, executive director of the nonprofit Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, said Tuesday. Several police chiefs, sheriffs and Attorney General Maura Healey support the proposal. [13] In lieu of citizenship or immigration information, the bill allowed registrars to accept two documents that prove the date of birth and identity of the applicant, including foreign passports, birth certificates, or consular identification documents.[14]. Sheriffs in general do not feel that issuing this restricted driving card to somebody thats broken potentially broken federal immigration laws is not a good policy for sheriffs, Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz said. Alexi Cohan is a producer on Greater Boston. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. emphasis on political coverage within a state; and, Signature requirement: 1.5 percent of the gubernatorial vote for a referendum or 2 percent of the gubernatorial vote to also suspend the law, Allows for veto referendums on emergency legislation, Successful veto referendum petitions may or may not suspend the targeted law until the election depending on the number of valid signatures submitted. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, sponsored Senate Bill 1081, which would create the new restricted drivers license anyone 16 or older who resides in Idaho could obtain, regardless of whether they have a Social Security number. The Idaho Legislatures Senate Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to advance a bill that would create a restricted drivers license available to all people 16 and older residing in Idaho, regardless of their immigration status. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. In what was a marathon session, the Minnesota Senate approved the Driver's Licenses for All act at 2 a.m. Feb. 22. He noted that law enforcement officials have endorsed the ballot question for this reason. The state Senate picked up the bill, too, before Baker vetoed it in May. Massachusetts Gov. Support local journalism by becoming a member. It received endorsements from Gov. and last updated 9:36 AM, Nov 09, 2022. Crighton said, however, the statistic is part of a national trend, citing the rising number of deadly crashes over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. First up is legislation known as the Restore the Vote bill, having passed the Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Speaking in support, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Adam Gomez (D), said: 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 breathe and have a sigh of relief.[15][6]. I am still wrestling with this, and my recommendation is not an indication of potential support on the floor, Den Hartog said during Tuesdays meeting. On June 13, 2022, Maureen Maloney and Kevin Dube filed the referendum with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to create the Fair And Secure Massachusetts committee. Its about making our roads safer, making sure that everybody has to pass a road test and vision test to get a license in the Commonwealth.. 100% remote. In April, several mayors testified on Beacon Hill in support of the law, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who is now the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence, Effort to repeal immigrant driver's license law hits milestone ahead of ballot deadline, Massachusetts Ballot Question 2: What you need to know about proposed changes for dental insurance, Massachusetts Ballot Question 1: What you need to know about the millionaires tax, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Last month, the states Elections Division certified 71,883 signatures collected to get the question on the ballot well above the 40,120 signatures required. But this bill should be signed His (Bakers) concerns are baseless. The overwhelming majority of bills that advance out of Idaho legislative committees are sent to the floor with recommendations the bills pass. Economically speaking, access to a vehicle also opens doors for new jobs and even gives some folks the tools to start a business, Driscoll said at the time. by Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun February 28, 2023. Can Undocumented Immigrants Get A Driver's License In Massachusetts. Massachusetts does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. a summary of the law from the Secretary of States office, filed paperwork to start the ballot question process, the states Elections Division certified 71,883 signatures collected, 47 percent of residents surveyed were opposed to the legislation, a debate on the ballot question on GBHs Greater Boston, Connecticut saw a 9 percent decrease in hit-and-run crashes, several mayors testified on Beacon Hill in support of the law, the statistic is part of a national trend, Another fight is brewing over the undocumented immigrant drivers license law, Here's where the MassGOP stands after Tuesday's election, South Coast Rail: New Bedford, Fall River vote to join the MBTA, A valid unexpired foreign passport or a valid unexpired Consular Identification document.
.sbtotaltable { At the time of the override vote, Democrats held such a majority. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun). Any information or communication provided by an applicant to the registrar of motor vehicles, including not providing proof of lawful presence, would not be considered public record nor be disclosed by the registrar, except as required by federal law.[1]. Another 39.2 percent said they would vote against the law, while 4.2 percent remained undecided. In 2014, Oregon voters voted to repeal SB 833, which would have made four-year driver's licenses available to those who cannot prove lawful presence. Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the referendum. The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Under the law, called the Work and Family Mobility Act, those who entered the country illegally will be able to apply for a drivers license with certain documents, like a foreign passport or consular identification paperwork. Read Idaho Gov. According to Yes on 4, 17 other states have enacted similar laws. An estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people could get licenses in the next three years under the law. Photo: Steph Solis/Axios. [3] [4] Estimates in 2016 put the number of unauthorized immigrants at 10.7 million, representing 3.3% of the total U.S. population. Individuals classified as treaty traders are among the eligible individuals for a New Jersey driver's license.It is a temporary worker who is accompanying the spouses and children of their employer. margin-bottom: 10px; While 4.2 percent remained undecided At the time of the measure, including the Massachusetts Major Chiefs... Which you must have been a resident to be eligible Baker vetoed in! 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