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. "It sends the wrong message," Frost said. Both of those ways of casting ballots proved popular and mostly successful as temporary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, improving voter access despite threats posed by the virus. Booming inflation intertwining with a runaway-train housing market have created major struggles for voters, who appear more likely in new polling to have economic issues top of mind. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Charlie Baker delivers his state of the state address Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Boston. Lenny Mirra-vs.-Kristin Kassner State Rep Race One of Several Massachusetts Elections Decided By One Vote, ) before the Joint Committee on Transportation. Our streets will be safer for everyone when all drivers have passed road tests, and vehicles are registered and insured," a letter from 19 mayors and town managers supporting the bill read in part. Although news of a possible repeal effort spread last week, Baker on Monday said he is "not familiar with that process" when asked if he would support the referendum, adding that he "made pretty clear what my rationale was for vetoing the law.". View All Newsletters. By 2019, 50,000 undocumented immigrants had taken written exams, vision tests, and road tests to get drivers licenses. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles Lawmakers voted this week to override his veto of a bill that will allow illegal immigrants in the state to apply for a driver's license. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. Both Maloney and Dube supported Diehl at last month's Republican convention in Springfield. 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. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File), The Massachusetts State House in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. 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. 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. Granting immigration status is the job of the federal government. |Products The bill thwarts the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their efforts for investigations into illegal immigration and crime.. Senators voted 32-8 in favor of the controversial How legitimate are those concerns? "It's never easy to collect signatures. It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. Are we asking them to become experts in foreign documentation and forgery detection? Whelan said. Forty-seven percent said they opposed the drivers license bill, and 46 percent supported it, with 7 percent unsure. Nick Collins of Boston, Anne Gobi of Spencer, Marc Pacheco of Taunton, Walter Timilty of Milton, and John Velis of Westfield voted against the bill, joining the Senates three Republicans, SHNS reported. When Massachusetts House and Senate leaders can get most or all of their Democrats on board behind a bill, their supermajority margins render the governor all but inconsequential to what becomes state law. She was a reporter for CommonWealth Magazine, and senior immigration reporter for Law360. Their bills to accomplish that never surfaced for floor votes, but legislative leaders kept the conversations going behind closed doors. 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. The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. Charlie Bakers veto. 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. That's a problem," Baker said Thursday morning. Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he would support a ballot question to repeal the legislation, according to statement from his campaign. 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. 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. MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get state driver's licenses. It can tear families apart, and that is a heavy, heavy burden to carry that fear through the daily activities of one's life.". Listen 5:50 Regional News Rep. Richard Neal supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts Alden Bourne , May 9, 2022 Existing state law prohibits anyone "who does not have lawful presence in the United States" from acquiring either a standard Massachusetts or expanded REAL ID-compliant driver's license. They made their voices heard on Wednesday afternoon. We found it incredibly hard a year ago," she said. 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. The Senate voted 32-8 Thursday. Now dip your toe in the water for two bucks , Five Social Policy Changes Maura Healey's Administration May, Unsure About Massachusetts Ballot Questions? Ensure that financial reports are prepared according to LIRS, PRM and ORR requirements. 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 In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Secretary of State Bill Galvin turns down 20% pay raise. Vote No On All, Massachusetts Bill Would Provide Free College For Illegal, Massachusetts Senate Bill Would Provide In-State Tuition To, With Howitzers and Helicopters, Western States Trigger, Three Massachusetts Members of Congress Backing, Elizabeth Warren Wants To See More Defense Contractors, Maura Healey To Release Proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Budget This Week, West Roxbury State Rep Cashing In With Massachusetts Biotechnology Council Gig. It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.. 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. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. House Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, bill sponsors Reps. Christine Barber and Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and Sens. The law, signed by Gov. Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China) They made their voices heard on Wednesday afternoon. Green card holders are required to explicitly demonstrate lawful presence, OK? Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. Both chambers are controlled by Democrats. This isnt a slam dunk in the world of law enforcement by any reasonable measure.. 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. This is what I keep hearing from my district every time I talk about this issue. "If somebody can collect the signatures and put a question before the voters, then obviously the voters get a shot at it," Baker said. This law provides driver's licenses to applicants who submit a valid foreign passport or consular identification and proof of residency, regardless of legal APS ASSESSMENT: False. However, for right now and today, I am looking forward to the ceremonial bill-signing," Senate President Karen Spilka told reporters about half an hour before gathering with other lawmakers, union leaders and activists for a "bill signing" ceremony in the State Library, across the building from the governor's office. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. "It is unnecessary because we are just focused on the ability of someone to drive.". 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. 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. No. How legitimate are those concerns? 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. Legal Statement. Thank you for your support, but we can't have this in here.". bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get driver's licenses, Pandemic Renews Debate Over Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Workers, Licensed Undocumented Immigrants May Lead To Safer Roads, Connecticut Finds. This legislation is distracting us not just from the needs of U.S. citizens but even people here who are here illegally. By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. Kathy Lynch, a Republican state committee member from Westford, said she worries that the bill could result in fraud. She said the benefits of allowing individuals to apply for a drivers license regardless of immigration status will become quickly apparent. It will also require all drivers to take a driving test and enroll in auto insurance, which will benefit the state financially. 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. Whelan said the new rules would put too heavy a burden on those issuing licenses. 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