She also argued that blocking the undocumented from obtaining licenses represents a forced lack of engagement that further cements inequality in our society.. Proponents said that H 4805 would increase road safety, reduce hit-and-run accidents, and help families without the required citizenship or immigration information. Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance reported spending $12,858.92 in opposition to Question 4. State legislature | U.S. Congress | This isnt an immigration issue. You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, at editor@ballotpedia.org, On June 9, 2022, the Massachusetts General Court overrode Gov. At least 16 states, including Connecticut and Vermont, allow residents to get a driver's license or permit regardless of immigration status, supporters say. Any other government document displaying the voter's name and address. In April, several mayors testified on Beacon Hill in support of the law, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who is now the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Massachusetts Question 4, Remove Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status for Driver's License Applications Referendum (2022). For that reason, some law enforcement leaders have backed the measure, including the Massachusetts Major Cities Chiefs of Police Association. Mar Valdecantos is the director of Rice County Neighbors United/Vecinxs Unidxs . The sad thing is, we want members of our community who are essential workers to be there when we need them, but were perpetuating an obstacle to their ability to drive to work legally by not passing this law, Fitzpatrick said. McMahon cast doubt on the RMVs ability to handle differentiating between citizens and non-citizens. color:white !important; Ballotpedia lists the positions of and excerpts from editorials supporting or opposing ballot measures from the editorial boards of certain media outlets. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. We have an urgent need for labor in this state. Charlie Baker has expressed his opposition to the measure, which would allow Massachusetts residents without legal immigration status to apply for a standard state driver's license, provided they show certain documents proving their identity. Standing alongside her is Roxana Rivera, vice president of 32BJ SEIU, who led the push for the law with Reason. John Milligan, of Fair and Secure Massachusetts, expands on this in his argument explaining the No vote published by the Secretary of States office: In his veto message of this bill, Governor Charlie Baker made it known that the Registry of Motor Vehicles does not have the capability or expertise necessary to verify documents from other countries and notes that, if this bill becomes law, Massachusetts drivers licenses will no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are.Additionally, Governor Baker states the bill specifically restricts the Registrys ability to share citizenship information with entities responsible for ensuring only citizens register to vote and vote in our elections, significantly increasing the likelihood that noncitizens will register to vote. We are a country of rules and laws, the committees website states. Korman added that farm workers without licenses are at higher risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, as they often must share vehicles or ask for rides over 20- to 30-minute commutes in rural areas where bus routes are slow and infrequent. Those states that have adopted this policy are highlighted in blue below:[2]. 100% remote. H 4805 required one of the documents to be either a valid unexpired foreign passport or a valid unexpired Consular Identification document. A valid unexpired drivers license from any United States state or territory; an original or certified copy of a birth certificate; a valid unexpired foreign national identification card; a valid unexpired foreign drivers license; or a marriage certificate or divorce decree issued by any state or territory of the United States. "People that are in the country illegally should not be rewarded for their behavior by getting a driver's license.". Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, 'Heartbroken' by the tragedy of war, a Ukrainian opera singer performs in Belmont, Healey's proposed budget a boon to education and the environment, Senate confirms first Hispanic judge to Massachusetts federal court, The woman who introduced MLK Jr. and Coretta Scott lies in an unmarked grave in Boston, The civil rights memorials that expose America's ugly history and warn of repeating the past. Support local journalism by becoming a member. Backed by majorities in the Massachusetts House and Senate, the Work & Family Mobility Act was reported favorably out of the Joint Committee on Transportation last session but did not come to a final vote, with uncertain support from leadership and Gov. In February 2022, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for standard Massachusetts driver's licenses. The law was designed to take effect on July 1, 2023. The registrar of motor vehicles cannot ask or create a record of the citizenship or immigration status of the applicant, and applications cannot be used to obtain the federally-recognized Real ID. At the time of the election, 17 statesCalifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washingtonand Washington, D.C., had enacted laws authorizing the issuance of driver's licenses to immigrants who cannot provide proof of lawful or authorized presence. The registrar may review any documents issued by another country to determine whether they may be used as proof of identity or date of birth. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. A poll of 500 registered voters conducted by Suffolk University, the Boston Globe, NBC 10 Boston, and Telemundo released on Oct. 18 showed 56.4 percent of respondents said they would vote Yes on Question 4. The push to expand access to driver's licenses to qualified immigrants without legal status continues to gain momentum as public health professionals, business leaders, advocates and. Earlier this year, the state Legislature overrode a veto from Gov. It looks like a bid to repeal a Massachusetts law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses will make it on to the November ballot. [16] In his veto message, Baker said: A standard Massachusetts drivers license will no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are [and the bill] restricts the Registrys ability to share citizenship information with those entities responsible for ensuring that only citizens register for and vote in our elections.[17][6]. Heres everything to know about the debate around Question 4: After years of lobbying, advocacy and tweaks, proponents of the law scored a victory earlier this year when the state House of Representatives voted to pass the bill in February. voters may get to decide whether to overturn undocumented immigrant driver's license law Create a . Its really just not right.. I am still wrestling with this, and my recommendation is not an indication of potential support on the floor, Den Hartog said during Tuesdays meeting. Baker vetoed H 4805 on May 27, 2022. MassBudget estimated in a March 2020 report that the law could help between 41,000 and 78,000 people get a state license in the first three years after passage. font-size:1.0em; But opponents have argued granting immigrants without legal status state-recognized identification would open the door for voter fraud in elections and would place too high a burden on the Registry of Motor Vehicles to verify foreign documents. In this section, Ballotpedia does not include opinion pieces written by individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. In hisveto message, Baker said the legislation "significantly increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote," a possibility that bill supporters have refuted. Tradues em contexto de "about undocumented immigrants" en ingls-portugus da Reverso Context : I encourage all media organizations to stop using the word "illegal" when talking about undocumented immigrants, because there's nothing illegal about being human. Charles D. Baker (R), Gubernatorial Candidate Geoff Diehl (R), and State Representatives Colleen Garry (D) and Marc Lombardo (R). Massachusetts voterswill decide this November whether to overturna new lawthat makes undocumented immigrantseligible for driver's licenses. Individuals classified as treaty traders are among the eligible individuals for a New Jersey driver's license.It is a temporary worker who is accompanying the spouses and children of their employer. -moz-columns: 1; The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. columns: 2; Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. In 2022, Rhode Island became the most recent state to enact legislation extending driver's licenses and identification cards to those without proof of lawful presence (SB 2006/HB 7939). "[3], Fair and Secure Massachusetts led the campaign in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4. This issue has for years been caught in the undertow of. A voter can register online, by mail, or in person at any registration office or the Registry of Motor Vehicles. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. }, The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.Cite error: Invalid tag; invalid names, e.g. The act became a law in June after the House and Senate both voted to override Gov. BURRELL: Statewide, police in New York used to arrest about 57,000 people a year for unlicensed driving. .sbtotaltable td { }, .arguments-bm-widget { Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Navigating Research with Undocumented Immigrants as an Undocumented Immigrant; Announcement of New Series! According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, undocumented immigrants can get a driver's license in 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Any information or communication provided by an applicant to the registrar of motor vehicles, including not providing proof of lawful presence, would not be considered public record nor be disclosed by the registrar, except as required by federal law.[1]. Its a critical tool of mobility in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, bills passed by the state legislature can be put before voters through a veto referendum petition. Should the measure be signed into law, Massachusetts would become the 16th state to provide illegal immigrants with the opportunity to get a driver's license - joining California, New York, Utah . The bill cleared both branches with more than enough support to override Baker's veto. }, The following is the argument in support of Question 4 found in the Official Voter Information Guide:[7], Fair and Secure Massachusetts led the campaign in support of a 'no' vote on Question 4. } State and local courts | Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition, said, "The Work and Family Mobility Act makes our communities safer, builds trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, and benefits our economy. McMahon also noted issues with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and its capacity to vet foreign documents. The word count for the ballot summary is 437. "UndocuGrads: Navigating Graduate School as an Undocumented Student" 2019 Public Policy and International Affairs Program: Open to Undocumented Students; 2018-2019 Peer Engagement and Enrichment Program (PEEP) for Undocumented Students A bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers' licenses has passed the Massachusetts Senate. He said despite a decline in hit-and-runs, fatal crashes are up. Undocumented immigrants driver's license law question likely to appear on November ballot A "yes" vote would keep the law in place, allowing undocumented immigrants a pathway to. Charles D. Bakers (R) veto of House Bill 4805 (H 4805). All were gathered for the Driver Privilege For All forum, hosted by The city of Central Falls, in collaboration with Fuerza Laboral (Power of Workers) and the Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island. II. Lawmakers backing the move say it. PODER of Idaho is an organization that works to empower the Latinx and immigrant communities in the areas of immigrant rights, economic justice, education and social justice. [3] This breaking news story will be updated. Shearer repeated the department's mission statement and goals before launching into the numbers for 2022. In the process, Guthrie predicted the new restricted licenses would make the roads safer and reduce costs and risks for all motorists by providing a path for more drivers to legally drive and obtain insurance. Under the law, a person can obtain a drivers license or learners permit in Massachusetts so long as they pass a road test, meet all other qualifications, and provide proof of their identity, date of birth, and residency. COVID strikes, the national food supply chain is rattled, and we momentarily wake up in our state and declare farm workers are sometimes essential when we need the fruits of their labor, Philip Korman, executive director of the nonprofit Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, said Tuesday. For a job order subject to the 2022 Final Rule, if the adjusted AEWR is lower than the rate guaranteed on the job order, the employer must continue to pay at least the rate guaranteed on the job order. In February 2022, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for standard Massachusetts driver's licenses. Charlie Baker to pass a law allowing undocumented immigrants to receive Massachusetts drivers licenses starting next year. The three-year initiative is called Transforming Narratives of Gun Violence, Effort to repeal immigrant driver's license law hits milestone ahead of ballot deadline, Massachusetts Ballot Question 2: What you need to know about proposed changes for dental insurance, Massachusetts Ballot Question 1: What you need to know about the millionaires tax, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Only about 7 percent of those polled were unsure of how they felt about the law. @media screen and (max-width: 792px) { Voters in Massachusetts may be asked whether to repeal state law granting standard Massachusetts driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants in November. The law specifies that information provided by or relating to any applicant or license-holder will not be a public record and shall not be disclosed, except as required by federal law or as authorized by Attorney General regulations, and except for purposes of motor vehicle insurance. The 25 new centers are expected to ease the burden on emergency rooms for patients with behavioral health crises. Why it matters: Massachusetts is home to more than 200,000 immigrants without legal status, according to the Migration Policy Institute. .sbtotalheader { This has nothing to do with immigration. "This isn't an immigration issue. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. Massachusetts Gov. It's high time that we let undocumented immigrants live without fear and start honoring their many contributions. } Visually, the restricted drivers licenses would be oriented vertically, instead of horizontally, Guthrie said. You can try, With Senate override vote, driver's license bill becomes law, House votes to override Baker's veto of licensing bill, Baker vetoes immigrant license access bill. The law also requires the registrar and the Secretary of the Commonwealth to establish procedures and regulations to ensure that an applicant for a standard drivers license or learners permit who does not provide proof of lawful presence will not be automatically registered to vote, the Secretary of States office says. A "yes" vote was to uphold House Bill4805, which allows applicants who cannot verify citizenship or immigration status to submit certain forms of identification to obtain a drivers license or motor vehicle registration. 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 identification document or certified copy of a birth certificate. As of July 1 2022, 18 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico issue driver's licenses or permits to some or all of the population residing without inspection in the United States. The state Senate picked up the bill, too, before Baker vetoed it in May. Crighton countered, and said that was a national trend and had nothing to do with undocumented immigrants getting licenses. To prove identity and date of birth, applicants need to provide the RMV with at least two documents from both of these categories: At least one of the documents must include a photograph and at least one must state a date of birth. Crighton said residents should vote "yes" in the interest of safety. Driving is not a luxury, Roman said. Applicants must also attest, under threat of perjury, their license has not been suspended or revoked in any other state, country, or jurisdiction. Constitutional rights Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. Firearms to the Senate floor without a recommendation attached to it. Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Boston. Can Undocumented Immigrants Get A Driver's License In Massachusetts. If the law is not overturned by voters, it will go into effect next July. Immigrants can get a license in the United States in most states, but it depends on the state they live in and their immigration status. Ballot measures, Who represents me? 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."[4]. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. California saw a similar drop of up to 10 percent per year. State lawmakers then overrode Bakers veto in June. -webkit-columns: 2; Documents not written in English must be submitted with a certified translation. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. 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. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, sponsored Senate Bill 1081, which would create the new restricted drivers license anyone 16 or older who resides in Idaho could obtain, regardless of whether they have a Social Security number. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, MA Senate GOP Leader Will Press For Driver Privilege Cards' for Immigrants, Mass. Its a dangerous law Its a law that circumvents the federal authorities who have the primary jurisdiction in vetting these people (from other countries), McMahon said. During Tuesdays hearing, the organization PODER of Idaho presented a petition with 8,000 signatures supporting the bill to create a restricted drivers license. | Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Im talking about the fear of being deported for taking a sick relative to the hospital or the fear of being deported for taking children to school. See20 CFR 655.120(b)(4). It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. The Elections and Voting page, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Republican opposition to the bill was steady throughout its journey through the Legislature, and officeholders and candidates at the GOP convention last weekend in Springfield sporadically and pointedly expressed their opposition to the proposal. [2], Yes on 4 led the campaign in support of a 'yes' vote on Question 4. Economically speaking, access to a vehicle also opens doors for new jobs and even gives some folks the tools to start a business, Driscoll said at the time. She is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and currently lives in the Boston area. 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