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. Legislature Overrides Gov. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. Advocates renew push to license illegal immigrants. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. (Thomas Kurmeier via Getty Images), "We are a nation of immigrants. And join the real revolution. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The state House and Senate both overwhelmingly approved the bill earlier this year, but Baker vetoed it on May 27. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, It will also make it possible for immigrants and refugees to go about their lives with more peace of mind, Sweet said. Support GBH. BOSTON (AP) The Massachusetts House approved a bill Wednesday that would let immigrants in the country illegally obtain state drivers licenses. Secretary of State Bill Galvin turns down 20% pay raise. Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions In MA Favor A Moonbow? Some Massachusetts residents want drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. There about 250,000 undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts, according to a 2016 report from the American Immigration Council. We also worked closely with the district attorneys who have seen these cases and seen people who are only going to court because they cant get a license.. Mass. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. ", "Green card holders are required to explicitly demonstrate lawful presence, OK? "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. Countries that have consular offices each have their own varied requirements to get an identification card. "This bill means trust and dignity for immigrants in our state who lack federal status," Chang-Daz said. 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. The formal legislative session ends July 31. Our lives are safer when every single driver has to pass a road test, a vision test, and obtain insurance.. 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 Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) was among those who cited economic reasons for giving drivers licenses to illegals. It's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. 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. 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. Huanhua Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China). But for How Long? 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. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! 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. The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state, a 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. Licensing allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.. Full transcript of Bidens State of the Union address, Mass. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. and last updated 9:36 AM, Nov 09, 2022. Secretary of State William Galvin has publicly refuted that claim. The state Senate joined the House Thursday in overriding a veto by Gov. 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. Charlie Baker, who has opposed similar legislation in the past. 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. Senate overrides Baker veto: Undocumented immigrants will be able to get driver's licenses, With override, House moves Massachusetts closer to drivers licenses for unauthorized immigrants, Baker vetoes immigrant license access bill. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Granting immigration status is the job of the federal government. And the main reason for that is no ones ever been able to explain to me how you can actually document and verify someone who is undocumented.. ". The Super Bowl: What Has Happened to America? American Chestnut Trees To Make A Comeback? Republican Gov. 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. However, states regulate who may receive a drivers license or identification card. "This is clearly a complete overstep on the part of people who don't understand what the voters, what people in Massachusetts want out of their government," Wendy Wakeman, a Republican strategist who is working with the nascent referendum campaign, told the News Service. If approved, undocumented immigrants could only acquire standard drivers licenses but not federally authorized REAL ID-compliant versions. The vote was 32 to 8, with five Democrats voting with the chambers Republicans against the bill, State House News Service (SHNS) reported. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial reform, which has drawn skepticism from Baker and split voters. By, Advocates push for Mass. Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. Once the law is fully implemented, new drivers are likely to spend $62 million on car insurance policies. 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. 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. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. 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. Eight other states are considering similar laws. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. This is a concrete step the Commonwealth could take to improve the daily lives of immigrants.. Thats bad policy. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. The bill provides illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain a drivers license in the Commonwealth starting in July 2023. We sat down with the chiefs and asked what their concerns were and worked with them. "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. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles They will also have to provide one of five additional documents: a drivers license from another U.S. state or territory; a birth certificate; a foreign national identification card; a foreign drivers license; or a marriage certificate or divorce decree from any U.S. state or territory. Legal Statement. Charlie Baker's formal opposition. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. I know that the economic purpose of immigration is to depress wages, Kropper said. We have far more important problems to fix, Kropper said. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Granting drivers licenses to illegal immigration is the wrong approach, he said. 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. 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. Under the legislation, the Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. "I consistently voted against this bill and I remain opposed to its passage into law.". 109. This is a well-vetted piece of legislation. It now moves to the Democrat-controlled Senate for approval, and then to Gov. Here's what we know. 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. 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. Immigrants are being squeezed under kitchen tables, into church basements and into shelters, they say. Gov. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Sen. Adam Gomez told members of the Senate that the bill would give undocumented members of the community the same flexibility and options everyone else has in driving. 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