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. MASSACHUSETTS The Massachusetts House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday that would allow undocumented immigrants to get state driver's licenses. Whelan said the new rules would put too heavy a burden on those issuing licenses. Before the bill becomes law, representatives from the House and Senate must reconcile the different language between the two bills, and then it must be signed by Gov. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, The civil rights memorials that expose America's ugly history and warn of repeating the past, Boston Public Radio full show: March 1, 2023, No 'magic sleep button:' Separating sleep misinformation from facts on YouTube, Finding resilience in Black love, through good times and bad, At least 36 are dead in Greece after two trains collided. All the fears and the arguments and the objections have fallen short, said Gonzalez. It can tear families apart, and that is a heavy, heavy burden to carry that fear through the daily activities of one's life.". House Democrats in Massachusetts have passed a controversial measure that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. Secretary of State William Galvin has publicly refuted that claim. 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 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. Charlie Baker delivers his state of the state address Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Boston. To put the question of whether the law should be repealed on the November ballot, petitioners will need to collect at least 40,120 signatures from registered voters, no more than 10,030 of which can come from a single county, in less than three months. Charlie Baker's formal opposition. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. BOSTON People living in the U.S. illegally would "We can't have this in here. 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 The bill also states that immigrants eligible for the drivers licenses would not be registered to vote as a result. Legislators have several more steps to complete before the bill can become state law. 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. Wakeman said the campaign is still working to collect the initial 10 signatures required to launch a referendum campaign. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Two conference committees kicked off their work this week, one tasked with resolving major differences between House and Senate sports betting bills and the other assigned with producing a final annual state budget. Fanghua Guangyuan Electronics Co., Ltd. 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. 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. Nineteen states have laws in place that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license, including Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington. "I consistently voted against this bill and I remain opposed to its passage into law.". "Without a license, a routine traffic stop can have a lasting and traumatic set of repercussions: arrest, ICE detention, deportation. 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. 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. "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. Will this be the year the bill passes? Additional drivers licenses equal more revenue through application fees, Gomez said. Driver's Licenses Bill Is Law. The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. 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's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. 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.. 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. Ensure that financial reports are prepared according to LIRS, PRM and ORR requirements. 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. Geoff Diehl, a gubernatorial candidate for the state Republican Party, told media in a statement last week, this is a bad bill, and said he would support efforts to overturn in a ballot initiative. DeSantis detailed the list of legislative proposals during a press conference in Jacksonville on Thursday, urging Florida state legislators to approve the initiatives that would increase criminal penalties for human smugglers, enforce a statewide ban on employers hiring illegal aliens, and prohibit counties from issuing drivers licenses to At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. A Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll of Massachusetts residents conducted in April found a nearly even split of support and opposition for the licensing idea, an uneasy balance that could get tilted one way or the other once prospective campaigns begin flooding the public sphere. If he vetoes the bill, it would go back to the Legislature to see if the veto would be overridden. The hearing featured a wide array of supporters of the bills, including various Democrats in the Massachusetts legislature, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. 109. Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls Attorney General Maura Healey and state Sen. Sonia Chang-Daz both voiced their support of the veto override on Twitter. By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter. Lenny Mirra-vs.-Kristin Kassner State Rep Race One of Several Massachusetts Elections Decided By One Vote, ) before the Joint Committee on Transportation. Maloneys son was killed in 2011 by a drunk driver who did not have legal authorization to live in the United States. Full transcript of Bidens State of the Union address, Mass. 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. Listen 5:50 Regional News Rep. Richard Neal supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts Alden Bourne , May 9, 2022 House Democrats in Massachusetts have passed a controversial measure that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. The bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license in Massachusetts will now become law. 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. 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. All rights reserved, 53K Mass. Connecticut looks to join Massachusetts, others states in seeking ways to curb deadly highway wrong-way crashes. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. No. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 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. 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. 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. "Allowing parents to drive their kids to school, take them to doctor's appointments or be in charge of carpooling to take their kids to soccer, all without the concern they may be separated if they are pulled over, will allow children of undocumented immigrants to breath and have a sigh of relief," said Sen. Adam Gomez, a Springfield Democrat and one of the bill's main sponsors. But the decisive roll calls (119-36 in the House and 32-8 in the Senate) may have just triggered the start of a larger fight. 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. 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. Starting July 1, 2023, anyone in Massachusetts regardless of immigration status can apply for a standard driver's license. On Wednesday, State House Speaker Ron Mariano said the legislation will "increase safety on our roads by ensuring that everyone has access to a drivers license, regardless of immigration status.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. The vote was 32 to 8, with five Democrats voting with the chambers Republicans against the bill, State House News Service (SHNS) reported. Report on 2014 legislation shows most domestic workers don't get basic rights and employers aren't trying to comply. 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. Legislature Overrides Gov. Sixteen other states already have laws on the books allowing undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses, Crighton told his colleagues. ", "Green card holders are required to explicitly demonstrate lawful presence, OK? Copyright2022 HongmeiCo.,Ltd.Allrightsreserved. State Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) said that he sympathizes with those who fear deportation because they frequently drive illegally because their immigration status prevents them from getting a drivers license from the state. 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. The deadline to file would be July 9, or within 30 days of the Senate overriding Gov. Green card holders are required to explicitly demonstrate lawful presence, OK? WebLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. "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. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. Bill sponsor Sen. Brendan Crighton, a Lynn Democrat, contended that bifurcating licenses awarded to immigrants without legal status and all other licenses could have a "chilling effect" on the bill's goal to get more drivers road tested. Massachusetts voters narrowly approved a law that allows those in the U.S. illegally to obtain a drivers license. We couldn't do it without you. "The legislature has now resoundingly supported the Work and Family Mobility Act, moving all state residents toward greater road safety, improved security, better public health and a more vibrant economy, and promising a profound transformation in the lives of undocumented immigrants across the Commonwealth.". The governor said at the time that the legislation would create problems for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which he said lacks the expertise to verify the types of identification immigrants use from other countries, a requirement of the bill. Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. Mass illegal immigration is what you wanted Sign up for the newsletter to receive periodic updates on Cato research, events, and publications. would become the third state to make it lawful for adults to grow, ingest and give away certain psychedelic plants and fungi. ". It prohibits the Registry of Motor Vehicles from asking about or keeping documents related to immigration status. 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 Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. State House News Service | At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a drivers license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Massachusetts Gov. The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. Ensure that financial reports are prepared according to LIRS, PRM and ORR requirements. Mass. Supporters of the bill said it would allow thousands of unlicensed drivers to travel to work and school without fear and would enhance safety on the road. The measure is about being safe on the road, according to Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. She's covered politics, immigration, incarceration, and health for The Guardian, DigBoston, The Boston Globe, and The Associated Press. Legal Statement. Senate Democrats are also hoping for a two-thirds majority vote. But for How Long? It would most likely require a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the Massachusetts Legislature for this bill to pass. We believe that could lead to stigma, open up opportunities to discriminate, Crighton said. 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. She's covered politics, immigration, incarceration, and health for The Guardian, DigBoston, The Boston Globe, and The Associated Press. The state Senate joined the House Thursday in overriding a veto by Gov. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). Convening a ballot question campaign committee is an early step along the road toward putting a referendum before voters, but it still indicates the law could be short-lived if petitioners -- who have support from Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl -- collect enough signatures in the next two and a half months. Democrat Sens. With override, House moves Massachusetts closer to drivers licenses for unauthorized immigrants, Baker vetoes immigrant license access bill. 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. These newly-licensed drivers will generate about $6 million in initial fee revenue over the first three years. 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.. 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. Maloney said she believes its absolutely possible to collect the signatures necessary to get on the ballot in November. An aide to Baker said he supports existing state laws that allow those in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. 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. However, states regulate who may receive a drivers license or identification card. Phil Murphy in December 2019 after a long debate, allows for a standard drivers license to be issued to immigrants regardless of legal status. The House voted 120-36 in favor of the measure. "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. Allowing parents to drive their kids to school, take them to doctors appointments or be in charge of carpooling to take their kids to soccer, all without the concern they may be separated if they are pulled over, will allow children of undocumented immigrants to breathe and have a sigh of relief, Sen. Adam Gomez, a Springfield Democrat and one of the bills main sponsors, told the news service. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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.. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Legislative leaders who steered the long-debated bill through the House and Senate said they have some worries about the prospect of a statewide campaign on the topic. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. MA Mobile Sports Betting Start Time Set Ahead Of March Madness, Free MA Community College Outlined In Gov's Budget. Similar ceremonies for other legislation usually feature Baker wielding a pen over the parchment, but in this case it was Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano wielding their override pens. The House voted 119-36 and the Senate voted 32-8 to override Baker's veto and make the measure law. "Sorry, we can't have this," Brownsberger told the crowd. Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China) Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. 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. 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. Market data provided by Factset. A drivers license allows people to get to work, but also allows people to get to the doctor and make sure their health care needs are being met, Barber said during the hearing Wednesday, June 23. And join the real revolution. 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. Granting drivers licenses to illegal immigration is the wrong approach, he said. Here's what we know. Sign up for the GBH News Politics email newsletter, featuring complete local politics coverage along with insights from our team of political reporters. 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. Applicants who cannot provide proof of lawful If the committee collects 40,120 certified signatures by Aug. 24 for a local election official to certify, and then file with the Secretary of States office by Sept. 7, the question can go on the November 2022 ballot. It will also make it possible for immigrants and refugees to go about their lives with more peace of mind, Sweet said. She said she wants to leave the measure up to the voters, citing the Globe-Suffolk University poll. New to NewBostonPost? Patricia Mae G. Santos, M.D., Kanan Shah, M.D., Francesca M. Gany, M.D., and Fumiko Chino, M.D. Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions In MA Favor A Moonbow? About 7% are undecided. 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