Readers react to drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. Connecticut hb 6495 authorizes drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants connecticut key vote the voters self defense system. In 2015, connecticut transformed its state and the lives of thousands of immigrant families with a law that offers driver s licenses for all residents, regardless of immigration status. If you would like to apply for a drive only license for undocumented individuals.
Connecticut to offer drivers licenses for illegal immigrants reuters. Cbsnewyorkap connecticut will issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants who qualify for a federal immigration enforcement program, an official in gov. Why programs to help undocumented immigrants get drivers. The ongoing debate about whether all ageeligible immigrants who can pass state driving tests should be able to obtain drivers licenses has been a distraction from the real issues that states face in promoting public safety and protecting their communities. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants may improve road. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants may improve. This article explains washingtons law on getting a drivers license if you are an undocumented person. Forms examined included documents denoting immigration status, student visa status, social security and school employment letters. There are many undocumented immigrants driving without a drivers license who arent insured or registered, and we believe making that.
Illegal immigrant license debate heats up cbs news. Ct drivers license bridgeport, new britain, stratford. Drivers license for illegal immigrants in connecticut. For details, visit vehicle and boat registration dropoff services are available at dmvs enfield, old saybrook and waterbury locations. Ruling marks a victory for immigrant rights advocates who argued the young immigrants were harmed by unequal treatment by the state. States need to create practical, workable solutions, and denying certain immigrants licenses because of their immigration status is. Undocumented immigrants once had an easier time getting full drivers licenses. States issue drivers licenses under the constitutional authority of the. These states include california, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii, illinois, maryland, new mexico, nevada, utah, vermont, and washington. The visitor s italian driver s license is valid in connecticut for one year from the time he enters the country. The connecticut dmv has started a drive only program for undocumented individuals who are 16 and older and cannot establish their legal presence in the united states or may not have a social security number.
Connecticut said on wednesday that it will provide special driver s licenses for illegal immigrants starting next week to help stop them from driving the states roads unregistered and uninsured. Like the municipal id, granting immigrants driver licenses regardless of immigration status is good policy. Vote smart provides free, unbiased, indepth information about current officials, candidates, issues, legislation, and voting. Driver licenses for undocumented immigrants youtube. According to the report, nearly 37 percent of the nations 11. Ct drivers licenses for undocumented resonates among ny.
Extensions provided for renewals of driver s licenses, nondriver id cards, vehicle registrations, emissions testing and other credentials, expiring between march 10 and june 30. Driver licenses for undocumented immigrants chasing news. Providing undocumented immigrants drivers licenses will. Connecticut to issue drivers licenses to young people. Connecticut to allow illegal immigrants to get driving license. Could programs to help undocumented immigrants gain driver. Issuing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants in rhode island would lead to safer roads and potentially better economic opportunities, according to a legal and policy analysis that the roger williams university school of law and the latino policy institute lpi at roger williams university released on thursday. To apply, you will need to submit specific proof of identity.
Driving in connecticut with foreign drivers license. Fifteen states and the district of columbia have enacted laws to allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain drivers licenses. Can an undocumented person in washington get a drivers. Starting december 27, the first state will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driving privilege cards, an act that will help those affected gain car insurance and master the rules of the road the cards themselves are different from a standard drivers license in several ways. The poll, which was commissioned by the aclu of iowa, surveyed 506 iowa caucusgoers slightly more republicans than democrats on february 16 and 17.
The department of motor vehicles expects thousands of immigrants will begin taking the steps that are needed to obtain a drivers license. New haven church helping undocumented immigrants apply for. Two state lawmakers are renewing a push to allow immigrants in the country illegally to apply for new york drivers licenses. The connecticut dmv had planned to go live with an online appointmentscheduling system for unauthorized immigrants seeking licenses through its. Drivers licenses make it easy for law enforcement to. Immigrants can obtain ct drivers licenses starting monday. All of a sudden, you had to provide several official documents to even begin the application and testing process, and while it may be little more than an inconvenience to america citizens, for illegal immigrants, its a brick wall. Allowing undocumented immigrants in connecticut to obtain drivers licenses may have reduced hitandrun crashes in the state.
Connecticut has approved around 26,600 drive only licenses for. Looney said the legislation that would make drivers licenses available to undocumented immigrants will be introduced soon after the start of the 20 legislative session, which begins wednesday. Immigrants who are living in the state illegally will soon obtain a drivers license under a program that is designed to reach the rules of the road to the people. Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants may improve road safety allowing undocumented immigrants in connecticut to obtain drivers licenses may have reduced hitandrun crashes in the state. The georgia driver services department has stopped asking immigrants who have federal work permits and who are applying for green cards to submit proof of legal admission to the u. The bill passed in the assembly the week before last.
Hochul clarifies position on immigrant drivers licenses. Sanchez pictured was one of dozens of undocumented immigrants and advocates who trekked to the capitol monday morning to call on connecticut to start issuing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. Mayors, immigrants rally for drivers licenses ct news. More undocumented immigrants line up for drivers licenses its going to make the streets safer, ana monteil said wednesday. The connecticut dmv has started a drive only program for undocumented. Undocumented immigrants to receive california, connecticut. Licenses for undocumented immigrants connecticut has seen a reduction in hitandrun crashes over the past three years, which some safety experts attribute to the states fouryearold policy of allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver s licenses.
Illegal immigrants in the state of connecticut should be able to start obtaining valid drivers licenses in connecticut in january, 2015. Immigration status has nothing to do with driving skills. The process involves applying for a learners permit that can then lead to a driveonly license. Undocumented immigrants changing access to drivers licenses. More immigrants apply for drivers licenses in california. These licenses are not equivalent to the licenses granted to citizens and legal immigrants. Connecticut legislators back drivers licenses for illegal. New california law allows immigrants to receive drivers licenses. New york, learn from connecticut on drivers licenses for all new.
Sanchez pictured was one of dozens of undocumented immigrants and advocates who trekked to the capitol early monday to call on connecticut to start issuing drivers licenses to undocumented. Since then more than 50,000 undocumented immigrants have applied for a drivers license. This holiday season, delaware will be giving more of its residents the opportunity to drive legally. Connecticuts statute states that drivers licenses shall not be denied to individuals unable to present evidence of lawful presence in the united states. Until 1990, no states required proofoflegal status to obtain a license. When the real id act was passed in 2005, it became much more complicated for someone to obtain a drivers license. In illinois, more than 212,000 people have received what are known as temporary visitor drivers licenses. The measure ensures that new mexico will no longer be a magnet for fraud rings that peddle and sell drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants from all over the world. Since 2003, however, the number of states issuing fullprivilege drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants has decreased from 25 to two based on aamvas 2014 report. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii, illinois, maryland, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, new york, oregon, utah, vermont and washingtonissue a license if an applicant provides certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, foreign passport, or consular card and evidence of current residency in the state. Drivers licenses for illegal immigrants backed the.
A proposal in connecticut to expand access to drivers licenses to immigrants regardless of their legal status has received the support of the governor, legislative leaders. Connecticut to offer drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. Extensions provided for renewals of drivers licenses, nondriver id cards, vehicle. The connecticut state senate on thursday narrowly approved a measure that will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses. Connecticut senate approves licenses for undocumented immigrants. Connecticut senate approves drivers licenses for illegal. Colorados drivers license program for immigrants already. States offering drivers licenses to immigrants ncsl. The statute doesnt directly talk about issuing licenses to undocumented immigrantsit just doesnt require you to prove lawful immigration status in the united states.
Undocument immigrants can now sign up for ct drivers licenses. Colorados drivers license program for immigrants already has problems, and theyre about to get worse people living in the u. The state law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses goes into effect jan. How to get a drivers license for illegal immigrants wikihow. Licenses for undocumented immigrants seem to be showing. A state official urged lawmakers wednesday to grant drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, attempting to revive a longrunning debate on an issue that has gained traction in other states, but. From jan 1, illegal immigrants who are 16 years or older can start to make online. Undocumented immigrants to receive california, connecticut drivers licenses december 17, 2014 in industry news, uncategorized by alycia undocumented immigrants living in the states will soon be able to obtain a drivers license under a new program designed to teach the rules of the road to people who likely have been behind the wheel. These licenses are for driving purposes onlythey cannot be used for identification purposes. Here is a sample of comments from readers on our stories and commentary about drivers licenses for n. These statescalifornia, colorado, connecticut, delaware, hawaii. State police detectives determined that the driving school had submitted these forged documents to the dmv enabling illegal immigrants to obtain connecticut drivers licenses. The connecticut state senate passed a bill on may 30 that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses.
Connecticut said on wednesday that it will provide special drivers licenses for illegal immigrants starting next week to help stop them from driving the. Last may, 20 a bill passed both the connecticut state. Per connecticut house bill 6495, the ct department of motor vehicles can issue a drive only drivers license to residents who cannot prove their legal status in the united states. Connecticut to grant drivers licenses to certain illegal. As of this writing in mid2018, a total of 12 states plus the district of columbia and commonwealth of puerto rico allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license. How 500,000 licenses went to drivers with no proof of u. Connecticut to allow illegal immigrants to get driving. Should connecticut grant drivers licenses to undocumented. Five of clintons six opponents at the democratic debate say they support states issuing drivers. As of july 2015, twelve states and the district of columbia have passed laws allowing unauthorized immigrants to get drivers licenses.
Extensions provided for renewals of drivers licenses, nondriver id cards. The commissioner shall place a restriction on each motor vehicle operators license issued pursuant to this section, indicating that such motor vehicle operators license is for driving. Immigrants living in the state illegally will soon be able to obtain a drivers license under a new program designed to teach the rules of the road to people who likely have been behind the wheel. A poll conducted by north carolinabased public policy polling found that 58 percent of all iowa caucusgoers support drivers licenses for immigrants, regardless of immigration status. A sharply divided senate voted early thursday to give final passage to a bill making connecticut one of a handful of states allowing illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants in the state of connecticut should be able to start obtaining valid driver s licenses in connecticut in january, 2015. New york, learn from connecticut on drivers licenses for. The national immigration law center reports that officials in at least 45 states including connecticut as well as all states with laws granting driving privileges to undocumented immigrants generally have demonstrated, either through statements or the granting of licenses, that daca recipients will be eligible for a driver s license or.