Free Republic

It's no secret that the Central American immigrant community walk the length of Herman Melville Boulevard as they travel to and from the fish houses where they work. They walk because they find it difficult to obtain driver's licenses as they are undocumented. Adrian Ventura said the Registry of Motor Vehicles could help if it would loosen requirements to obtain a driver's license. It is difficult for many to obtain a license because they do not have legal status, he said. The largest immigrant advocacy group in the country, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) has proposed legislation...

State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr yesterday repeated his insistence that Gov. Deval Patrick bring Massachusetts into compliance with the 2005 federal law stiffening requirements on the issuance of driver’s licenses before Bay State residents are prevented from using their licenses as IDs for everyday acts, such as when boarding airplanes or entering some federal facilities. Massachusetts remains one of 12 states not in compliance with the law that was passed in the aftermath of 9/11 and is aimed at strengthening the integrity of states’ driver’s licenses and state-issued identification — most specifically by demanding that states verify citizenship before...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Immigrants living in Rhode Island illegally would be able to apply for driver’s licenses and permits, under legislation recently introduced into the General Assembly on behalf of Governor Chafee. The proposed “driving privilege licenses” and “driving privilege permits” would be a separate category from regular driver’s licenses and driver’s permits, according to the proposal, which has been introduced by state Rep. Anastasia Williams, D-Providence, and state Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence. They would also not be a valid form of identification for federal or state purposes (such as voting) and would be a different design or color from...

Advocates push to give undocumented New York immigrants driver's licenses Believing the political climate is now in their favor, advocates are launching a major push to allow undocumented immigrants to get New York State driver’s licenses. Members of more than 50 organizations met Tuesday with an umbrella group known as the New York Immigration Coalition to set their campaign in motion. “We have really decided to go forward, and go forward full steam,” said Steven Choi, the coalition’s executive director. “We are hearing from our members, from Brentwood in Long Island all the way to Buffalo, that driver’s licenses are...

(CNSNews.com) – A new law in Maryland that took effect on Jan. 1 allows illegal aliens to get a driver’s licenses in the state.Proponents of the law, passed by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, said it would make roads safer, because illegal aliens would have to pass driving tests and could get liability insurance from insurance companies.The Maryland Highway Safety Act allows illegal aliens to obtain a license without a Social Security number or proof of lawful residency, according to the Washington Post.The license cannot be used for federal purposes, including entering a federal building or boarding...

LAS VEGAS (KSNV MyNews3) -- Starting on Thursday, undocumented residents can begin applying for Driver Authorization Cards.But there are certain guidelines that must be meet to obtain one of those cards. DMV offices are ready for driver authorization card applicants, and while many employees are bilingual, some people may want to bring a friend or family member to help them with English. "Bring in anyone to help you at the window and at the front desk, to help you through the process if you're English-limited," said the DMV's Kevin Malone. A person can get help with translating when taking the...

New York politicians push legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver's license The number of deported immigrants under President Obama is approaching the 2 million mark and immigration reform has become once again no more than a rapidly-fading illusion. Yet, here in New York, some politicians and community leaders are working to alleviate the immigrants’ situation by allowing the undocumented to legally apply for a driver’s license. “A driver’s license will provide undocumented immigrants much more employment flexibility,” said state Sen. José Peralta who, along with Sen. Adriano Espaillat and with the support of Make the Road...

(Reuters) - Undocumented immigrants in Illinois began taking road tests on Tuesday to qualify for driver's licenses, starting a process expected to be closely watched by other U.S. states that are preparing to implement similar laws. Illinois is the largest U.S. state to implement legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to get licenses - following in the steps of New Mexico and Washington. Ten states in 2013 including Illinois enacted laws allowing unauthorized immigrants to receive driver's licenses or permits, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Implementation dates vary - California, the largest state by population, won't begin issuing licenses...

Marchers gathered in front of the East L.A. Sheriff's Station Wednesday morning to protest against what they consider racial profiling in regard to illegal drivers. Protesers are upset that until a new law goes into effect in January 2015, granting undocumented immigrants driver's licenses, those drivers could still be fined and have their vehicles impounded. Human rights advocates and California immigrants at Wednesday's protest called for L.A. County to stop impounding vehicles. Governor Jerry Brown signed the new law, known as AB60, on October 3. It will also make drivers eligible for insurance and training for written and driving tests...

PROVIDENCE — Supporters of immigration reform turned their attention to the governor, state lawmakers and Congress Thursday, saying driver’s licenses, relaxed deportation policies and comprehensive national reform are needed if America is serious about helping millions of undocumented people who have come here for a better life. The group of about 15 gathered at the State House rotunda, calling themselves the local chapter of the national “We Are All Arizona” Coalition and drawing attention to a weeklong drive to seek “dignity and respect” for “all immigrants.” One by one, they came to the podium. The Rev. Raymond Tetrault, retired pastor...

Illegal immigrants, driving legally on the road. Next month, non-visa status people in Illinois can begin the process of obtaining a temporary driver's license. Despite the controversial law being on the books since January, many questions remain. "Public safety." "But they're here illegally." Those are the main arguments for and against a law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a temporary drivers license for three years. "This means freedom," Claudia Fabian, who came to the U.S. from Argentina, said. "It means being not scared anymore of maybe you are not going to be stopped that day and put in jail...

AURORA — The Illinois office that issues driver’s licenses is preparing to roll out its biggest initiative in 14 years: helping undocumented immigrants apply for those licenses. Come December, when appointments become available to apply for the licenses, an Aurora facility will be one of 25 designated locations across the state where immigrants can go to get them. “This is our No. 1 priority right now in our office,” said Tom Benigno, chief of staff to Secretary of State Jesse White, who leads the office that is overseeing the initiative. Benigno joined State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) and Alderman...

"Take your DACA and shove it!" - by John HillStand With ArizonaArizona Governor Jan Brewer is under fire from pro-illegal alien "rights" groups like the ACLU and La Raza for refusing drivers licenses to illegal alien "youth" granted virtual amnesty under Barack Obama's DACA program. They have sued repeatedly to try and stop her. But rather than back down, Brewer has doubled down. Brewer has now directed her Department of Transportation to expand her denial of drivers licenses to ALL illegal aliens granted a reprieve from deportation by the Obama DHS or ICE, regardless of circumstances. The left has erupted...

Allow me to say thank you to N.C. Reps. Brian Brown, Jonathan Jordan and other members of the N.C. Legislature for taking the initiative to find a solution to the vast number of undocumented drivers in North Carolina with section 9 of H.B. 786, the “RECLAIM N.C.” Act. I suggest that this section be effective on the day after the governor signs the legislation, if approved, instead of waiting until Oct. 1. The Catholic nuns at St. Gabriel in Greenville will be happy to know that they no longer will have to be on the lookout for the state trooper...

NEW HAVEN —— About 2,000 supporters of a pair of bills that would permit undocumented immigrants to obtain a Connecticut drivers license turned out for a public hearing Monday night. The crowd filled the auditorium, cafeteria and gymnasium of Wilbur Cross High School, where members of the legislature's transportation committee had gathered to collect testimony.They heard from Mayor John DeStefano, top legislative leaders and Catholic priests. But they also heard from dozens of illegal immigrants, who brought deeply personal stories, in both English and Spanish, of how they must drive to get to work, or to pick up their children,...

After Mabel Muñoz was stopped by police while driving to her college dormitory, the honor student was

MICHIGAN — Immigrant advocate groups and people across the state are calling on Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson to comply with a federal mandate and grant young eligible immigrants the right to drive. In a telephone news conference on Wednesday, Reverend Jack Eggleston joined two young immigrants to demand that Johnson follow the mandate. Michigan immigrants eligible for work permits under immigration reforms still have no legal way to search for work or to get to work because of Johnson’s refusal to grant them driver’s licenses. President Obama’s executive action this summer grants certain younger undocumented immigrants work permits and...

Last Sunday, 439 people gathered at St. Rose of Lima Church in Fair Haven to celebrate what could be a breakthrough year for undocumented workers in Connecticut. The crowd praised the first milestone this year for immigrants — that undocumented youth protected under President Obama’s executive order DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Act, can now obtain legal driver’s licenses in Connecticut. State leaders also announced their plan to introduce a bill this session allowing all undocumented workers in Connecticut to acquire driver’s licenses. The Sunday gathering was run by CONECT, or Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut, which...

SPRINGFIELD --- The Illinois House today approved a measure to allow illegal immigrants to get temporary driver's licenses, sending it to a supportive Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. The 65-46 vote came after a lengthy debate in which backers and foes laid out their cases. Rep. Dennis Reboletti, R-Elmhurst, cited numerous concerns about public safety. Opponents questioned why fingerprinting isn't part of the legislation. Republican Rep. Randy Ramey of DuPage County said too many issues are left unanswered.

As sheriff of Illinois’ largest county, I am responsible for providing safe roads. We are all safer when every driver is trained, tested, licensed and insured. That is why I support SB957, legislation that requires unlicensed immigrant drivers to obtain Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses. Illinois already offers a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License to immigrants with non-work visas. Immigrants are driving every day. They need to get to work, take their children to school, shop at grocery stores or go to church. The TVDLs are visually distinct with a purple background. They are marked on the front that they are not...