Conservative media is hard to find in Massachusetts. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. Charlie Baker. 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. We're talking about a situation now where, under the current statute as I understand it, all the rules associated with determining lawful presence are going to go away. "We still need to do something like that if we really want to get our arms around this.". Drivers licenses for these people will only serve to encourage more undocumented people to move to Massachusetts.. In Massachusetts, we pride ourselves in being a leader on so many important national issues, but with respect to this policy before you today, we have fallen behind, Crighton said. 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. Massachusetts Gov. State House News Service | We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. No. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. Even After Investigation, Stoneham Cop Hasn't Paid Dime of Rent to New Landlord, Tracking the Next Hit of Wintry Weather Headed to New England, Due Late Week, Power Lines Crash Onto Cars, Trucks for Blocks in Stoneham; Cause Unknown, Rescuers Capture Bald Eagle Believed to Be Critically Sickened by Rat Poison. WebLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. May 30, 2022 Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has vetoed a bill that would allow immigrants without legal status to get driver's licenses. The bill would open up access to the former license type, which cannot be used to board a flight or access a federal building, regardless of immigration status. 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. The bill still must be approved by the Massachusetts Senate, also controlled by Democrats, before heading to Baker. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.". Charlie Baker's opposition. But youve found it. By, Advocates push for Mass. Are we demanding too much of our Registry of Motor Vehicle clerks? , Brazilian Worker Center, Rian Immigrant Center (formerly the Irish International Immigrant Center), the Boston Teachers Union, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and both illegal immigrants and legal immigrants (who sometimes testified in foreign languages). Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Hongmei Neon Equipment Factory "This bill means trust and dignity for immigrants in our state who lack federal status," Chang-Daz said. By 2019, 50,000 undocumented immigrants had taken written exams, vision tests, and road tests to get drivers licenses. "And everyone deserves to feel safe and get to work, pick up children and be a part of their communities without fear. "If somebody can collect the signatures and put a question before the voters, then obviously the voters get a shot at it," Baker said. House lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bill, which passed by a 120-36 vote. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. City hopes state legislature boosts shelter aid. While GOP lawmakers are not on board, there's a chance Democrats will need to take fewer steps to finalize the elections reform bill than they did the licensing law. 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. It's ironing out the intraparty disagreements that often proves tougher, and more time-consuming. Secretary of State Bill Galvin turns down 20% pay raise. Rep. Paul Frost, a Republican from Auburn, said it would encourage immigrants to come to Massachusetts without trying to obtain legal status. Analysis: Mass. While the legislation has now cleared both chambers with more than three-quarters of elected lawmakers in support, Bay Staters in general are nearly evenly split "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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Patricia Mae G. Santos, M.D., Kanan Shah, M.D., Francesca M. Gany, M.D., and Fumiko Chino, M.D. Listen 5:50 Regional News Rep. Richard Neal supports driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts Alden Bourne , May 9, 2022 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. 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. The poll was conducted from April 24 to April 28 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. Attorney General Maura Healey implored Bay State employers to think about abortion laws, too, saying that heightened restrictions being put in place in other states could cost billions of dollars in productivity "because it actually affects whether women go to school, stay in school, join the workforce, stay in the workforce, contribute to our economy. Sixteen other states already allow undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses. 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.. We've gained support from a wide range of stakeholders over the course of a number of years, said lead sponsor Sen. Brendan Crighton ahead of the vote on Thursday. Licensing allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. 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. The law specifically mandates that the state Registrar of Motor Vehicles develop procedures and regulations to ensure that license But for How Long? The Senate voted 32-8 Thursday. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. It can tear families apart, and that is a heavy, heavy burden to carry that fear through the daily activities of one's life.". (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File), The Massachusetts State House in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. Thats bad policy. 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. Activists demanding Massachusetts lawmakers override Gov. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A drivers license is essential for economic mobility. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. In November, voters in Massachusetts will decide on rejecting a state law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a drivers license. We all benefit from increased public safety," state Senate President Karen Spilka said after Baker's veto in May. MA Mobile Sports Betting Start Time Set Ahead Of March Madness, Free MA Community College Outlined In Gov's Budget. It would most likely require a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the Massachusetts Legislature for this bill to pass. Republican gubernatorial candidate Geoff Diehl and lieutenant governor candidate Leah Cole Allen said after Thursday's vote they would back a ballot question asking voters to repeal the new law. WebMIRA is proud to be part of the Driving Families Forward Coalition, which is advocating for the Work and Family Mobility Act). The original version of the bill was introduced almost 20 years ago, and multiple iterations have cropped up and failed, including one from then-state Rep. Marty Walsh in 2007, who is now the U.S. Secretary of Labor. The formal legislative session ends July 31. We know in other states that have passed this bill, passed a form of driver's licenses for immigrants, that hit-and-run accidents go down by 10 percent, House co-sponsor Tricia Farley-Bouvier told GBH News on Thursday morning. The Senate, which passed the final version of the immigrant license bill with a veto-proof 32-8 vote, is expected to override Baker's veto during its formal session Full Worm Moon: Will Conditions In MA Favor A Moonbow? Republican candidate Geoff Diehl said he would support a ballot question to repeal the legislation, according to statement from his campaign. 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. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, as they have for months at this point, said their respective branches continue to deliberate in private about still-in-development tax packages without offering many details beyond a broad promise that the bills would aim to help vulnerable populations. 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 and being able to reliably decipher their documentation that, first of all, in the different language and second of all, for validity.. Room 8055, 5th floor. Tel: +86 20 81608506, Home 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. A campaign filed paperwork Monday with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance to create a committee, called "Fair and Secure Massachusetts," seeking to repeal the law enacted over Baker's veto last week. And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. "Indeed, many of our policy chiefs support the bill as a public safety tool and agree that it will enable law enforcement to better identify individuals at traffic stops or scenes of an accident.". Its why 16 states and the District of Columbia already allow immigrants without legal status to get a drivers license if they meet certain conditions. Outside of spending levels, the budget talks -- which opened with brief public remarks before moving into private -- will feature some significant policy decisions as well, including a Senate proposal to create new licensing protections for Massachusetts reproductive health and gender-affirming care providers who may face legal challenges originating in other states. DUTIES. Contrary to prevailing opinions and fears, undocumented immigrants do have banking rights within the United States and can open bank accounts. To get a license, immigrants would have to present either a valid unexpired passport or valid unexpired consular identification and an unexpired driver's license from a U.S. state or territory, a birth certificate, a valid unexpired foreign national identification card or driver's license, or a Massachusetts marriage certificate. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers. Undocumented workers in some states must choose between driving illegally and risking exposure to the virus by sharing rides. Charlie Baker and authorizing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. "That was never really on the table here in Massachusetts," he said. |Profile The Massachusetts State Senate will debate whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get drivers licenses in formal session Thursday morning. Sixteen other states already have laws on the books allowing undocumented immigrants to acquire licenses, Crighton told his colleagues. The new law will allow immigrants without legal status to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. Charlie Bakers veto. Rep. Christine Barber, a Somerville Democrat who refiled the bill, said people need access to drivers licenses more during the pandemic as they work essential jobs Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com. Unfortunately, Massachusetts is a magnet for undocumented people. This legislation is distracting us not just from the needs of U.S. citizens but even people here who are here illegally. Additional drivers licenses equal more revenue through application fees, Gomez said. |Contact Us. 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. The Minnesota Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would allow illegal immigrants the ability to obtain a U.S. driver's license without requiring proof they are in the country lawfully. Congestion pricing and other traffic mitigation options are back on the table. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! On Thursday, Crighton said, On the issue of voting, weve debunked it again and again, and again.. A topless marijuana dispensary may be coming to Western Mass. In an event that went more than three hours before it featured any difference of opinion, mostly supporters testified in favor of two bills (S.2289/H.3456) before the Joint Committee on Transportation. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. The Driving Families Forward coalition, which includes a range of civil rights, immigration reform and organized labor groups, praised the Senate's vote and called for Baker to sign the legislation, arguing it "provides all the safeguards necessary to answer any doubts he may has (sic) raised previously. Driver's Licenses, ID Cards Being Replaced After Printer Mishap, Mass. Charlie Baker. Charlie Baker on the legislation. Sarah Betancourt is a bilingual reporter for GBH News, and longtime Boston muckraker. Now dip your toe in the water for two bucks $2 for two months. Copyright2022 HongmeiCo.,Ltd.Allrightsreserved. Support GBH. The bill provides illegal immigrants the opportunity to obtain a drivers license in the Commonwealth starting in July 2023. "Today, the House took a significant step towards bringing all Massachusetts drivers under the same licensing and insurance standards, regardless of immigration status," House Speaker Ron Mariano said. 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