by Hibah Ansari January 30 . The Massachusetts State. Thank you for your website feedback! Reports 1,653 New COVID Cases Wednesday, Police Officer Hit by Vehicle in Fitchburg, Poll Shows Edge For Healey in Mass. Some lawmakers worry that this bill could create a backdoor to the Registry of Motor Vehicles database that could be used to profile, target or report a person to immigration authorities. Massachusetts is one of the first states to put repeal of the law to a vote. @NBC10Boston #ULTIMAHORA Cmara de representantes aprueba propuesta de ley que permitira el registro de licencias de conducir para inmigrantes indocumentados @TelemundoNI pic.twitter.com/FrliuBgk8y. "Undocumented immigrants, they are very clear that voting when you're not supposed to is illegal and it can carry jail time," Torres said. 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.. Early in-person voting opened last week ahead of the November 8 Election Day and runs until November 4. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Immigration law help: Massachusetts I support the Family Mobility Act because it will make all of us safer., Other supporters have argued that issuing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants could even benefit the economy, and the ACLU of Massachusetts. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The bill would also give undocumented residents of Massachusetts, where the ability to drive in most places is essential, much-needed mobility, according to the ACLU. The Massachusetts House is slated to debate a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Massachusetts law about immigration, is. The bill requires individuals provide documentation to obtain a license including proof of their identity, residency in the state and date of birth. MIRA: Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, MIRA works to protect andsupport the most vulnerable, especially those at risk of deportation, but also strive to expand opportunities for all foreign-born people and their children, so they can make the most of their talent and labor., Kurzbans immigration law sourcebook: a comprehensive outline and reference tool. Typically, as long as you have an eligible status under immigration law, you can get a state-issued driver's license. "For the immigrant community, it's a really big step to be able to not fear that just for driving without a license could cost one to go to immigration court and risk a deportation," said Boston-based immigration attorney Carmen Bello. / CBS Boston. Vargas said legislators have addressed that concern in the bill. Critics of the measure have argued that drivers licenses are a privilege that should not be offered to those not in the country legally. According to the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL), 16 states and the District of Columbia allow illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license, with the latest in July 2020 when Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) signed legislation allowing illegal aliens to obtain driver's licenses beginning in 2021. The governors Registry concern is a frivolous argument, says Sarah Sherman-Stokes,a School of Law clinical associate professor of law and associate director of its Immigrants Rights & Human Trafficking Clinic. They say voters could hold legislators accountable for spending the revenue as intended, and that the current state surplus isnt enough to guarantee the years of investment that schools and transit need. Perhaps the only native of Trenton, N.J., who will volunteer his birthplace without police interrogation, he graduated from Dartmouth College, spent 20 years as a small-town newspaper reporter, and is a formerBoston Globereligion columnist, book reviewer, and occasional op-ed contributor. An interactive online interview to help individuals to understand their eligibility for naturalization; A self-paced interactive tutorial that explains the naturalization process step-by-step; An online tutorial to help applicants prepare for the naturalization tests; and, Links to other resources and information about citizenship and naturalization available online. "This is a well-vetted piece of legislation. Illegal immigrants can now obtain a drivers license in Massachusetts. Should Tech Companies Be Held Accountable for Letting Terrorists on Their Sites? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay informed and engaged. Finch v. Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, 461 Mass. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Immigrants Rights & Human Trafficking Clinic, BU Students Launch Migration Tales, a Website Showcasing Immigrants Stories, POV: Supreme Court Rules That over 400,000 Immigrants are Ineligible to Permanently Remain in United States, Meet the Dental Training Robots at Boston Universitys Dental Simulation Lab, BU Opts against Forswearing Investments in Gun Manufacturers, 11 Books to Read in Celebration of Womens History Month, Today I Learned: The Smell of Formaldehyde Makes You Hungry, New Music March 2023: Local Boston Concerts, New Album Releases, Comics Artist Joel Christian Gill Launches BUs New Visual Narrative MFA Degree, Lincoln Struggled with Depression. Undocumented immigrants in 16 other states, including New York, Connecticut and Vermont, are already able to get a driver's license. Baker, in his veto letter to lawmakers, argued the new law "increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote," fears that supporters say are overblown in part because those using the licenses to register to vote could end up facing deportation. The bill passed largely along party lines, with every Republican and eight Democrats voting against H.4461. And at any rate, alleged voter fraud by noncitizens has been dramatically overblown and unfounded.. But supermarket and convenience store opponents say the compromise isnt enough and that caps on liquor licenses give an unfair edge to package stores. In the Tufts report, Horowitz predicted a mix of outcomes from allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license. Due to continual and rapid changes in U.S. immigration policy, please check the websites of all relevant federal agencies for the most current information. Massachusetts now joins 16 other states and the District of Columbia that have similar laws. One Year into the Russia-Ukraine War, Whats Next? In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. If enough signatures are gathered and voters agree with the referendum petition, the state law to give illegal aliens driver's licenses would be repealed before it takes effect on July 1, 2023. These beaches are the best of the best in US, according to Bald eagle rescued after eating rat poison in Massachusetts. Bello has told her clients about the pros of the bill, including being able to get car insurance, have a record of living in the U.S., and showing good moral character. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. The policy will go into effect next summer, WBUR noted. BOSTON (CBS) - The Senate passed a bill that would give immigrants without legal status a pathway to obtain a Massachusetts driver's license. Those who oppose the bill say it would do more harm than good, potentially opening the door to identity fraud. In Connecticut, the drop was especially large in communities with higher percentages of licenses that could be used for driving only (such as those possessed by undocumented drivers). Charlie Baker has expressed opposition to similar efforts in the past. For current information on ICE operations see the see the ICE Information Library. Planning for a family emergency, MassLegalHelp (July 2022). You may also need to provide a thumbprint. If you have convictions for felonies or serious misdemeanors, or if you re-entered the country after being deported, then ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) could be looking for you. After Connecticut and California authorized licenses for undocumented people, hit-and-runs fell in both states. All Boston and Massachusetts adults deserve access to drivers licenses regardless of immigration status, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D), late last month. Some states do not allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license, but you may be able to get insurance with a foreign license. For those age 16 and 17, you must have at least 22 hours of classroom training plus an eight-hour Safe Driving Practices course at a commercial or secondary driving school. ", "If the RMV can't handle it, we have a much deeper problem at the RMV," Horowitz said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Voters in Massachusetts are about to decide whether undocumented immigrants should be able to apply for driver's licenses. 64 FR 28689, Field guidance on deportability and inadmissibility on public charge grounds. Currently, sixteen states and the District of Columbia allow undocumented people to obtain driver's licenses. There is no federal law that grants the benefit of a driver's license for an undocumented person. Meanwhile, supporters claimed states with this law have seen decreases in hit-and-run cases and uninsured drivers. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Many undocumented immigrants hope for an opportunity like yours regardless of the money. To find your states DMV, type DMV and your state into a search engine. Question 4 on November's Massachusetts ballot asks voters if they approve of the lay that would allow eligible residents to apply for a driver's license, regardless of immigration status. This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Some page levels are currently hidden. If you pass the vision and knowledge test, then the Connecticut DMV will mail you the permit. The licenses would not become available until July 1, 2023. X Undocumented applicants will have to show at least two official forms of ID for a driver's license and prove that they live in Massachusetts. What Black Americans more likely to go to emergency departments for mental A little scary: Iditarod begins with smallest field ever, Colorectal cancer being diagnosed in younger Americans: research. (There is no mandatory minimum currently.) wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The bill, HD. The wording of Ballot Question 4 as it appears on Massachusetts voters' 2022 general election ballots. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Kurzbans immigration law sourcebook: a comprehensive outline and reference tool, American Immigration Counsel. Charlie Baker's veto, but it has continued to spark debate. February 16, 2022 / 6:04 PM Under the new law, people in the country without legal status would be able to apply for a driver's license starting July 1, 2023, if they can provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a. Eligible groups include: Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Holders, Amerasians, Asylees,Cuban/Haitian Entrants, Human Trafficking Victims,Legal Permanent Residents, and Refugees. You skipped the table of contents section. Interpretation and disability accommodations are available, and consultations are 15 minutes. Users can also refine their search by areas and types of legal assistance provided, populations served, and languages spoken.". Recinos v. Escobar, 473 Mass. The law provides that, when processing an application for such a license or learner's permit or motor vehicle registration, the registrar of motor vehicles may not ask about or create a record of the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant, except as otherwise required by law. "It will provide an extra level of public safety and law enforcement capability by providing driver's licenses. You may need a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you do not qualify for a SSN. For those aged 18 or older, you will need to take the eight-hour Safe Driving Practices course. Massachusetts poised to let undocumented immigrants get driver's licenses - Axios Boston Jun 8, 2022 - Politics Mass. It's a point of concern for some lawmakers who were against it. Massachusetts is one of the first states to put repeal of the law to a vote. Charlie Baker, but shortly afterwards, a committee called Fair and Secure Massachusetts mobilized to get a referendum on the ballot and put the question to voters. Required fields are marked *, Pioneering Research from Boston University, BostonUniversity. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. As of May 2022, sixteen states and the District of Columbia allow immigrants who are unable to provide social security to get a modified drivers license. For current policies see the, Notaries public not licensed to practice law; prohibition from offering legal advice or advertisement as legal specialist; immigration matters; real estate closings, Court must tell defendants making a plea of guilty, plea of nolo contendere, or an admission to sufficient facts about potential immigration consequences of their decision, Health care reform: MassHealth: citizenship and immigration, The REAL ID Act of 2005, PL 109-13, Division B, Title II, Real ID drivers licenses and identification cards, Unfair immigration-related employment practices. The article doesnt mention the details of that situation. United We Dream has put together this guide for non-citizens and undocumented folks to understand if they are eligible, and what they need to do in order to be able to drive . "We need (licenses) to bring our children to school for the after school, for the program summer school and for the work," said Enilda Lodo of East Boston. "The federal government must address the matter of those who are here illegally and tackle the flow of illegal immigration into the country before we start giving out government issued IDs to. The number is now 9a number that impedes every store in many chains from selling beer and winebut would rise to 18 by 2031; however, only 7 of those could be full licenses to sell beer, wine, and liquor. Vaughan said shes unsure whether the bill will pass considering a large number of Massachusetts voters oppose the measure, which may be an incentive for elected officials to vote against it. Following the enactment of the REAL ID Act of 2005, many states including Georgia amended their driver's license laws, limiting driver's license access to those who could provide proof of legal status. Feb 16, 2022. Last Updated: May 27, 2022 The former support the measure as a fair compromise with food stores that seek more beer and wine licenses. If you cant afford an attorney, then try to contact a legal aid organization near where you live by using this. While in his twenties, Bush flew warplanes in the Texas Air National Guard. "We're now starting to incentivize; 'hey, don't worry about being undocumented, don't worry about being here illegally, you can still come to Massachusetts, and not only can you get an ID but a driver's license,'" he said. Its compromising the integrity of the identity authentication process, she said. Will this be the year the bill passes? The uninsured driver risks penalties for illegally operating a vehicle and high potential costs if their own car is damaged. Those seeking to repeal a new law letting undocumented residents get driver's licenses in Massachusetts are poised to put the issue up to voters. The new law is a win for immigrant rights groups that have long pushed for the measure, framing it in part as a public safety measure saying that the people will have to show they can properly operate a car and get insurance in the event of an accident. Visit a DMV office ( schedule an appointment ), where you will: Provide your proof of identity and California residency ( learn more about the documents you'll need ). Undocumented immgrants can get a driver's license in the following states: California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Hawaii Illinois Maryland Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Oregon Utah And critics of the bill noted that while some police chiefs have endorsed the bill, others have not. Republicans and some Democrats have argued that a license is a privilege reserved for legal residents. This issue has for years been caught in the undertow of. Understanding immigrants' eligibility for MassHealth & other subsidized coverage, Mass. We're creating a tremendous opportunity that it could be abused for purposes for which it is not intended, he said. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. The Mayors Office of Immigrant Advancement offers free immigration consultations on the, first and third Wednesday of every month from 12 to 3 p.m. ORIs mission is to promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of Massachusetts. The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in the state, a move advocates say would make roads safer for all motorists and opponents argue rewards people for entering the country illegally. Lawmakers have long considered driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. If the number of liquor licenses increases so does the number of marijuana retail stores. BOSTON (CBS) - It's been a hot-button issue on Beacon Hill for decades. 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 during the debate. In most states, driver's license applicants must provide proof of their lawful residency status. By using our site, you agree to our. Senate Democrats are also hoping for a two-thirds majority vote. The Registry does not have the expertise or ability to verify the validity of many types of documents from other countries. Baker also cited the potential for undocumented people to use licenses to register to vote illegally in elections. The RMV already examines peoples immigration and identification documents to confirm whether they are eligible under current law, Sherman-Stokes says. But Democratic leaders pointed to the 16 other states that have passed similar bills and claimed law enforcement officials are telling them they need it to help them enforce road safety laws. Had the driver been documented, I assume he would have stopped and her son might still be alive. For more information on these three cases See, Child Migrants at the Border: The Flores Settlement Agreement and Other Legal Developments, City of Boston immigration advancement resources, Do you need immigration advice from a lawyer? I never thought I could see a American becoming a third world country but is this what I am seeing. Again, this makes no sense. "If the documents that are presented for identification purposes, in another section of the bill, are not in English, then they have to certified translation," said Minority Leader Sen. Bruce Tarr (R). How to get a green card by Ilona Bray, Nolo, 2020. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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