The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. An Act Relative To Work and Family Mobility During and Subsequent to the COVID-19 Emergency doesnt mention either drivers licenses or illegal immigrants. 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. DUTIES. The bill provides illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain a drivers license in the Commonwealth starting in July 2023. 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. Charlie Bakers veto. "It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.". 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. 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. All rights reserved. Sixteen other states already have laws on the books allowing undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses, Crighton told his colleagues. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Ensure that financial reports are prepared according to LIRS, PRM and ORR requirements. 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. On Thursday, Crighton said, On the issue of voting, weve debunked it again and again, and again.. 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. MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get state driver's licenses. ", 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.". Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial reform, which has drawn skepticism from Baker and split voters. She's covered politics, immigration, incarceration, and health for The Guardian, DigBoston, The Boston Globe, and The Associated Press. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The bill still must be approved by the Massachusetts Senate, also controlled by Democrats, before heading to Baker. Full transcript of Bidens State of the Union address, Mass. It will also make it possible for immigrants and refugees to go about their lives with more peace of mind, Sweet said. These newly-licensed drivers will generate about $6 million in initial fee revenue over the first three years. New to NewBostonPost? May 30, 2022 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has vetoed a bill that would allow immigrants without legal status to get driver's licenses. 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. The House voted 119-36 and the Senate voted 32-8 to override Baker's veto and make the measure law. It can tear families apart, and that is a heavy, heavy burden to carry that fear through the daily activities of one's life.". Opioid overdose deaths reached a new high in 2021, according to data released this week, fueled in part by the widespread presence of fentanyl and the anguish imposed by the pandemic. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. One amendment, offered by Fattman, would have required the RMV to transmit licensing information to any city or town clerk seeking to verify the identity of someone using a license to register to vote. By Jasper Goodman Updated June 23, 2021, 5:25 p.m. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. Nineteen states have laws in place that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license, including Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington. "This bill would provide broad benefits to our municipalities. Room 8055, 5th floor. No. 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 Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. But the legislature gets the final word. |Service The bill has won support from many of the states sheriffs and district attorneys and the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs of Police. She said she wants to leave the measure up to the voters, citing the Globe-Suffolk University poll. Maloney said she believes its absolutely possible to collect the signatures necessary to get on the ballot in November. A two-thirds vote in the House and Senate would override a potential veto by Baker. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. 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. Patricia Mae G. Santos, M.D., Kanan Shah, M.D., Francesca M. Gany, M.D., and Fumiko Chino, M.D. Mass. Drivers licenses for these people will only serve to encourage more undocumented people to move to Massachusetts.. Illegal immigrants in Massachusetts will be able to obtain driver's licenses after state lawmakers voted Thursday to override a veto from Republican Gov. Support GBH. Thank you for your support, but we can't have this in here.". We did change some of the bill and made sure that we're really clear on the types of documents people need to provide to get licenses, said Rep. Christine Barber, lead co-sponsor of the House bill. He also said that Massachusetts cannot wait for Congress to offer protections for people who are in the country illegally. "That was never really on the table here in Massachusetts," he said. 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 Under the legislation, the Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. However, states regulate who may receive a drivers license or identification card. , Brazilian Worker Center, Rian Immigrant Center (formerly the Irish International Immigrant Center), the Boston Teachers Union, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and both illegal immigrants and legal immigrants (who sometimes testified in foreign languages). Rep. Paul Frost, a Republican from Auburn, said it would encourage immigrants to come to Massachusetts without trying to obtain legal status. We have far more important problems to fix, Kropper said. Join us. The law, signed by Gov. 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. Both Democratic candidates, Maura Healey and Sonia Chang-Daz, have voiced their support for the veto override. A Boston Globe-Suffolk University poll of 800 Massachusetts residents published in the spring showed residents were divided on the issue. "Certainly, if it's part of our ballot initiative process, that is a concern. Proponents of the bill have touted it as beneficial for road safety, the news service reported, asserting that the approximately 185,000 undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts would be tested before driving. 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. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. The vote was 32 to 8, with five Democrats voting with the chambers Republicans against the bill, State House News Service (SHNS) reported. Former acting ICE director Tom Homan explains how President Biden's border strategy is enticing more illegal immigration and voices concerns with ICE's new policy to consider migrants' military service. "I don't see this the same way the House and the Senate see it," Baker said Monday. A long-debated proposal to expand driver's license access to undocumented immigrants took a major step Thursday toward becoming law, clearing the Massachusetts Senate with a strong enough margin to overcome the prospect of Gov. 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. "If somebody can collect the signatures and put a question before the voters, then obviously the voters get a shot at it," Baker said. 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. McCraw said that Asian Americans were targeted in hopes of finding "look-a-likes" for undocumented immigrants of Asian descent. Milford resident Maureen Maloney, a longtime opponent of the proposal whose son Matthew Denice was killed by a drunk driver who did not have legal status in the U.S., will chair the committee. "That's democracy.". 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. Charlie Baker's opposition. Advocates and lawmakers are holding a ceremonial bill signing to mark the new law on Monday afternoon which will be going into effect without the signature of Gov. WebThe state offers 2 types of licenses, 1 of which complies with the REAL ID law for those who can provide proof of lawful presence. REP. GOODEN INTRODUCES BILL TO EXPAND USE OF BIOMETRICS TO IDENTIFY MIGRANTS COMING ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER, Massachusetts Gov. 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. All rights reserved, 53K Mass. Democrat Sens. 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. By, Advocates push for Mass. How legitimate are those concerns? 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. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles and last updated 9:36 AM, Nov 09, 2022. 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. Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. "It sends the wrong message," Frost said. 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. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. The override was not the only display of political strength Democrats made this week. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. 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. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, Mass. Mass. Listen 5:50 Regional News Rep. Richard Neal supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts Alden Bourne , May 9, 2022 Forty-seven percent said they opposed the drivers license bill, and 46 percent supported it, with 7 percent unsure. 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. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. Republican Gov. Undocumented workers in some states must choose between driving illegally and risking exposure to the virus by sharing rides. The title of both bills . Opponents of undocumented drivers license bill point to potential for illegal voting. 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. 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. 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. Connecticut looks to join Massachusetts, others states in seeking ways to curb deadly highway wrong-way crashes. At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. 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