By 2019, 50,000 undocumented immigrants had taken written exams, vision tests, and road tests to get drivers licenses. Thank you for your support, but we can't have this in here.". About 7% are undecided. 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. Huanhua Road Democrat Sens. 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. Republican Gov. Tel: +86 20 81608506, Home It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.. State House News Service | 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. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, Mass. Other states like California, New York and Utah already do the same. Immigration activists have long lobbied for the measure, saying it will help improve public safety including for those who already have drivers licenses by requiring that immigrants demonstrate they can properly operate a car and that they have obtained the needed insurance in the event of an accident. Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China) The House voted 119-36 and the Senate voted 32-8 to override Baker's veto and make the measure law. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. It would most likely require a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the Massachusetts Legislature for this bill to pass. "We believe that could lead to stigma, open up opportunities to discriminate," Crighton said. 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. At least one piece of documentation must have a photograph. 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. If opponents of the new law pursue that action -- and are successful at gathering signatures -- the timing could line up almost perfectly to put the question before voters at the Nov. 8 election. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. If passed into law, immigrants would qualify for a Massachusetts standard driver's license if they presented valid proof of identity, date of birth and state residency. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. By, Advocates push for Mass. 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. 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. Charlie Baker on the legislation. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr rose in opposition to the bill, calling it very, very problematic and citing concerns over voter registration. Full transcript of Bidens State of the Union address, Mass. 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. 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. 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. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. The bill provides illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain a drivers license in the Commonwealth starting in July 2023. It now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate for approval, and then to Gov. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. "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. 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), The MBTA is being sued for the 2021 Green Line crash. This legislation is distracting us not just from the needs of U.S. citizens but even people here who are here illegally. Here's what we know. The Massachusetts House approved a bill Wednesday that would let immigrants in the country illegally obtain state drivers licenses. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. Advocates renew push to license illegal immigrants. 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. Whelan said the new rules would put too heavy a burden on those issuing licenses. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! Their spending plans for the fiscal year that starts July 1 do not broach the idea of tax relief, though the final fiscal 2023 budget deliberations could revise the state's tax revenue forecast. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. "But I think we've got enough interest to do it. (Thomas Kurmeier via Getty Images), "We are a nation of immigrants. 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. Mass. "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. Consular identification cards are issued by some countries who have citizens living in other countries, and can be used for voting in that foreign country, or for identification. The state House passed a similar bill by a veto-proof 120-36 margin in February. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. "Certainly, if it's part of our ballot initiative process, that is a concern. 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. Thats because the states Republican governor, Charlie Baker, opposes giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. "I don't see this the same way the House and the Senate see it," Baker said Monday. Maloneys son was killed in 2011 by a drunk driver who did not have legal authorization to live in the United States. May 30, 2022 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has vetoed a bill that would allow immigrants without legal status to get driver's licenses. Bill sponsor Sen. Brendan Crighton, a Lynn Democrat, contended that bifurcating licenses awarded to immigrants without legal status and all other licenses could have a "chilling effect" on the bill's goal to get more drivers road tested. City hopes state legislature boosts shelter aid. 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 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. McCraw said that Asian Americans were targeted in hopes of finding "look-a-likes" for undocumented immigrants of Asian descent. "This bill means trust and dignity for immigrants in our state who lack federal status," Chang-Daz said. Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Thats a problem, Baker said. Driver's Licenses, ID Cards Being Replaced After Printer Mishap, Mass. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Their bills to accomplish that never surfaced for floor votes, but legislative leaders kept the conversations going behind closed doors. 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. 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. This session, having amassed enough votes to steamroll a veto, they went for it. Lawmakers have long considered drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. RMV To Send More Than 50,000 New Licenses After Printing Error, 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 ability to drive our car to the store, to the doctor's appointments and to take our kids to sports practices, or even getting involved with extracurricular activities while granting them a peace of mind that they should that, said Gomez, a Senate co-sponsor. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The campaign will have until Aug. 24 to submit signatures to local election officials for certification and until Sept. 7 to submit them to Secretary of State William Galvin's office. Two conference committees kicked off their work this week, one tasked with resolving major differences between House and Senate sports betting bills and the other assigned with producing a final annual state budget. "Today, the House took a significant step towards bringing all Massachusetts drivers under the same licensing and insurance standards, regardless of immigration status," House Speaker Ron Mariano said. 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. ", The gubernatorial candidate told business leaders she is among those concerned about the statewide housing shortage and the high costs of living, two days before the man she hopes to succeed in the corner office delivered a similar message dubbing the lack of available and affordable housing an "existential threat.". House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. DUTIES. In your inbox every Thursday morning. 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. And it puts tremendous pressure on cities and towns to do the cleanup on the back end.". 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. 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?. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. 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