We always have," Baker told the crowd at a New England Council event. The title of both bills . This story was updated to include more details from the legislative debate, as well as reaction to the vote and background on the issue. At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. Forty-seven percent said they opposed the drivers license bill, and 46 percent supported it, with 7 percent unsure. All rights reserved. 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. All rights reserved, 53K Mass. Kathy Lynch, a Republican state committee member from Westford, said she worries that the bill could result in fraud. 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. Baker's Driver's License Bill Veto. Licensing allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.. The new rules would apply to those who do not have proof they are in the country legally, including those not eligible for a Social Security number. or redistributed. With the passing of the law, Massachusetts joins 16 other states and Washington D.C., that have similar laws. "It's never easy to collect signatures. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. While GOP lawmakers are not on board, there's a chance Democrats will need to take fewer steps to finalize the elections reform bill than they did the licensing law. 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. Listen 5:50 Regional News Rep. Richard Neal supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts Alden Bourne , May 9, 2022 We sat down with the chiefs and asked what their concerns were and worked with them. "I don't see this the same way the House and the Senate see it," Baker said Monday. Gov. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. Senate Democrats are also hoping for a two-thirds majority vote. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. 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.. Attorney General Maura Healey implored Bay State employers to think about abortion laws, too, saying that heightened restrictions being put in place in other states could cost billions of dollars in productivity "because it actually affects whether women go to school, stay in school, join the workforce, stay in the workforce, contribute to our economy. 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. 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. The Senate voted 32-8 Thursday. 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. About 7% are undecided. Thats because the states Republican governor, Charlie Baker, opposes giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. As of 2016, there are about 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, according to a report from the American Immigration Council. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! Previous research by The Pew Charitable Trusts examined the decisions that 10 states and the District of Columbia made when designing and implementing their laws to issue driver’s licenses to unauthorized immigrants. Baker voiced his concerns about the bill Thursday morning, SHNS reported. 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. Forty-seven percent said they opposed the drivers license bill, and 46 percent supported it, with 7 percent unsure. The House voted 11936 on Wednesday to override the veto. Skeptics and opponents of the bill should look to the experience of the 16 states that have already adopted similar measures, said Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, a Springfield Democrat and son of immigrants. "But I think we've got enough interest to do it. New to NewBostonPost? Contrary to prevailing opinions and fears, undocumented immigrants do have banking rights within the United States and can open bank accounts. "Without a license, a routine traffic stop can have a lasting and traumatic set of repercussions: arrest, ICE detention, deportation. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. 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. May 30, 2022 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has vetoed a bill that would allow immigrants without legal status to get driver's licenses. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Legislators, who often wrap up work at the last minute or blow past deadlines altogether, faced pressure to finalize a bill soon with the Sept. 6 statewide primary less than three months away. He also said that Massachusetts cannot wait for Congress to offer protections for people who are in the country illegally. ", 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.". Illegal immigrants in Massachusetts will be able to obtain driver's licenses after state lawmakers voted Thursday to override a veto from Republican Gov. Idahos bill 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. The bill would not register undocumented immigrants to vote. 109. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. However, states regulate who may receive a drivers license or identification card. At least one piece of documentation must have a photograph. 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. Charlie Baker's formal opposition. Legal Statement. Surely, we shouldnt have to rely on Charlie Baker, a Republican, and my former junior high classmate, to veto a measure that harms those at the bottom of the economic ladder.. The vote was 32 to 8, with five Democrats voting with the chambers Republicans against the bill, State House News Service (SHNS) reported. "I consistently voted against this bill and I remain opposed to its passage into law.". Both chambers are controlled by Democrats. Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Attorney General Maura Healey and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Daz both voiced their support of the veto override on Twitter. 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. The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. Here's what we know. 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 More than a dozen states allow undocumented immigrants to acquire some type of driver's license, though Baker said Monday he believes in most instances they offer a "driver's privilege card" and not a full license. Will this be the year the bill passes? 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. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Massachusetts is on its way to joining 16 other states that grant drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. WebLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. 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. To apply for a license, someone without legal presence would need to provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a foreign passport or a consular identification document as well as at least one of five other documents: a driver's license from another state, a foreign driver's license, a birth certificate, a foreign national ID card, or a marriage certificate from any U.S. territory. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Baker on Monday said his administration would "start the process of implementing it pretty much immediately.". 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. Sixteen other states already have laws on the books allowing undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses, Crighton told his colleagues. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. Join us. House Democrats in Massachusetts have passed a controversial measure that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. How legitimate are those concerns? So many people who have testified today other than the last two, their only concern was for the people who have come into our country without permission not for American citizens, Dugan said. 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. All rights reserved. Lawmakers have long considered drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. He said his amendments were rejected in a rush to move this bill forward. He said one of those addressed the design of the licenses which arent going to look any different from current licenses, and could cause problems with voter registration. The 120-36 vote means the bill won the support of more than two-thirds of lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House enough to override a potential veto by Baker. View All Newsletters. 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. 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. 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. Sixteen other states already allow undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses. 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. "There were a lot of people who wanted to put a January 1 implementation date on this, and he said 'no, there's no way the state could possibly be ready to do this in January,' and he made it in July," Baker said. The Massachusetts House approved a bill Wednesday that would let immigrants in the country illegally obtain state drivers licenses. Whether it's Healey or someone else, the next governor will have their work cut out on a series of intimidating and harrowing obstacles even if the state remains on good fiscal footing. But for How Long? Those seeking a license must present at least two documents. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial The legislation, approved on a 120-36 vote, would require individuals provide documentation to obtain a license including proof of their identity, residency in the state and date of birth. To apply for a standard license under the new bill, an undocumented immigrant would need to show the RMV a foreign passport or a consular identification document, as well as a drivers license from another state, a foreign drivers license, a birth certificate, a foreign national ID card, or a marriage certificate from any U.S. territory. 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. How legitimate are those concerns? The Senate signed off on the deal and a House vote could come as early as next week. 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. "We believe that could lead to stigma, open up opportunities to discriminate," Crighton said. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The bill still needs to go through a committee for review, but the deadline for that review has now been delayed until March. 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. Both Maloney and Dube supported Diehl at last month's Republican convention in Springfield. The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state, a She was a reporter for CommonWealth Magazine, and senior immigration reporter for Law360. On Thursday, Crighton said, On the issue of voting, weve debunked it again and again, and again.. It could also prevent undocumented immigrants from fleeing police during a traffic stop for the sake of preventing identification as an undocumented immigrant and risking deportation, supporters say, according to SHNS. Asked about whether methods used by consular offices to verify documents arent rigorous enough, Maloney said she wasnt sure and would have to look into that further.. Legislatures considering extending driver’s licenses to unauthorized immigrants debate such potential Many argue that we should let the federal government do its job when it comes to immigration reform. 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. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. Some who opposed the bill agreed with Gomez on one part of his testimony: that it is a pro-business bill. Its treasurer will be Kevin Dube of North Andover, according to the form submitted to OCPF. This is a concrete step the Commonwealth could take to improve the daily lives of immigrants.. 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. would become the third state to make it lawful for adults to grow, ingest and give away certain psychedelic plants and fungi. 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. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). I am one of those who comes to the chamber concerned about some of the provisions before us, concerned because a drivers license is one of the most, if not the most, recognizable, important pieces of identification in our society, bar none, Bruce Tarr, the chambers minority leader, said at the start of the session, the news service reported. A bill that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for Massachusetts driver's licenses, appears poised for passage this week after more than 20 years in the making. and last updated 9:36 AM, Nov 09, 2022. 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. "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. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. 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. BOSTON People living in the U.S. illegally would In an event that went more than three hours before it featured any difference of opinion, mostly supporters testified in favor of two bills (S.2289/H.3456) before the Joint Committee on Transportation. 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. State House News Service | Room 8055, 5th floor. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The original version of the bill was introduced almost 20 years ago, and multiple iterations have cropped up and failed, including one from then-state Rep. Marty Walsh in 2007, who is now the U.S. Secretary of Labor. 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. 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. The formal legislative session ends July 31. The votes were there to pass the bill and Democrats in both branches flexed their political muscles in a 24-hour span to cement the licensing bill as law by clearing the two thirds hurdle needed for a veto override. Tom Homan: Biden is most concerned with optics. If passed into law, immigrants would qualify for a Massachusetts standard Charlie Baker. More than 100 lawmakers have signed onto bills that would make Massachusetts the 17th state to give undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain He also said the bill restricts the registrys ability to share citizenship information with those entities responsible for ensuring only citizens register for and vote in our election.. By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter. And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. 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 and being able to reliably decipher their documentation that, first of all, in the different language and second of all, for validity.. State law allows petitioners to bring forth a referendum to strike a newly enacted law if they collect, in this case, 40,120 signatures from Massachusetts voters, of which no more than 10,030 could come from one county, within 90 days after its passage. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. No. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. By Jasper Goodman Updated June 23, 2021, 5:25 p.m. The hearing featured a wide array of supporters of the bills, including various Democrats in the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. "Certainly, if it's part of our ballot initiative process, that is a concern. The bill thwarts the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their efforts for investigations into illegal immigration and crime.. Gomez called concerns that the bill would unleash voter fraud a "red herring.". Rep. Paul Frost, a Republican from Auburn, said it would encourage immigrants to come to Massachusetts without trying to obtain legal status. BOSTON (CBS) - The Senate passed a bill that would give immigrants without legal status a pathway to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. State Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) painted it as a pro-business bill. Democrat Sens. "We still need to do something like that if we really want to get our arms around this.". 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 Here's what we know. Even Baker, who argued that allowing immigrants without legal status to apply for standard driver's licenses could spiral into ineligible residents registering to vote, accepted that he was fighting a losing battle. Wakeman worked in 2021 on a trio of ballot question campaigns, including one seeking a statewide voter identification law, that fell short of collecting enough signatures to remain in the mix. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. |News House Republicans unsuccessfully pushed a similar amendment during their debate on the bill, which Baker described as a "perfectly reasonable way to deal with this. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. 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. 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), 2 victims of fatal Salem head-on crash identified, 79 years later, soldier killed in WWII to be buried in Maine, Police identify woman found dead in Merrimack River. House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, as they have for months at this point, said their respective branches continue to deliberate in private about still-in-development tax packages without offering many details beyond a broad promise that the bills would aim to help vulnerable populations. Republican Gov. Thats a problem, Baker said. In a 120 to 36 vote, the 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. But youve found it. 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. Im a businessman, so I should like low wages, but first Im an American and I want the citizens on the bottom to enjoy the American Dream first. And connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments not currently access Commonwealth... 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