Agenda Text
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Calling on the State to pass the Act Relative to Work and Family Mobility (S.2061 and H.3012), that would allow qualified residents to obtain a standard Driver's License regardless of their immigration status.
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Official Text
WHEREAS, There are between 41,000 and 78,000 residents who would be eligible drivers in Massachusetts, but cannot presently access driver’s licenses because of their federal immigration status; and
WHEREAS, Many undocumented immigrants need to drive, whether it is for work, to take their children to school, or for other important appointments; and
WHEREAS, Regardless of the particular reason, driving is necessary for many undocumented immigrants to conduct their daily activities; and
WHEREAS, To ensure road safety and accountability, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles should provide qualified undocumented immigrants with driver's licenses regardless of their immigration status; and
WHEREAS, To date, 15 other states and the District of Columbia allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, including many in our Northeast region, such as Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and New Jersey, in addition to Delaware, New Mexico, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois, Washington, Maryland, Colorado, Hawaii and California; and
WHEREAS, Despite the introduction of several pieces of legislation in the Massachusetts Legislature and the wide support for such legislation from over 235 organizational endorsers as part of the Driving Families Forward movement, including the Massachusetts AFL-CIO State Federation, none of this legislation has yet been passed; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Major City Chiefs Association, made up of Chiefs of Police, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police from city, state and transit police forces, has endorsed the bill as “common sense public policy that benefits everyone;” and
WHEREAS, The proposed bill has been endorsed by many city mayors, including those from Boston, Somerville, and Revere; and
WHEREAS, Passing a bill that grants driver's licenses to qualified undocumented immigrants is in the best interest of the entire population of Massachusetts, because immigrants wanting to drive legally will have to pass written and practical driver's exams, register their vehicles, and obtain automobile insurance; and
WHEREAS, Allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses will improve public safety by ensuring that everyone driving has been properly educated and tested and is operating a registered, inspected, and insured vehicle; and
WHEREAS, Allowing undocumented immigrants the opportunity to obtain a driver's license will mean increased revenue for the State from license and registration fees and may lead to lower auto insurance premiums for all of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, Immigrants with driver’s licenses will more easily integrate into their communities which is beneficial to all Massachusetts residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, That the Somerville City Council calls upon the Massachusetts Legislature to pass the Act Relative to Work and Family Mobility (S.2061/H.3012), and upon the Governor to sign it, to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license regardless of their immigration status; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be communicated to the Somerville delegation in the Legislature and to the offices of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Governor.