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. 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. Room 8055, 5th floor. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. And that's basically and fundamentally what this bill is. Granting immigration status is the job of the federal government. 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. "The legislature has now resoundingly supported the Work and Family Mobility Act, moving all state residents toward greater road safety, improved security, better public health and a more vibrant economy, and promising a profound transformation in the lives of undocumented immigrants across the Commonwealth.". Charlie Baker's opposition. Oversee budget development for new programs within RIS and update budgets for existing programs. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. In November, voters in Massachusetts will decide on rejecting a state law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain a drivers license. Thats because the states Republican governor, Charlie Baker, opposes giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants. "I have very grave concerns about the impacts this bill will have on public safety and the integrity of our elections," Rep. Steve Xiarhos, a Republican, said Wednesday on social media. 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. The law specifically mandates that the state Registrar of Motor Vehicles develop procedures and regulations to ensure that license 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. Trying to ensure our drivers licenses have integrity and cannot be misused for various purposes those are important things, and those things dont go away because of the hardships weve heard about.. Charlie Baker. Senators voted 10-29 to reject Fattman's amendment. 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.. It can tear families apart, and that is a heavy, heavy burden to carry that fear through the daily activities of one's life.". 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. or redistributed. Licensing allows businesses to attract workers they cannot currently access.. That included Steve Kropper, co-chairman of Mass Coalition for Immigration Reform, who said he is a registered Democrat. MA Mobile Sports Betting Start Time Set Ahead Of March Madness, Free MA Community College Outlined In Gov's Budget. Ensure that financial reports are prepared according to LIRS, PRM and ORR requirements. The new law will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a standard state drivers license beginning July 1, 2023. House Democrats in Massachusetts have passed a controversial measure that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter. The governor said at the time that the legislation would create problems for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, which he said lacks the expertise to verify the types of identification immigrants use from other countries, a requirement of the bill. 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. Charlie Baker and authorizing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants. Justice Kimberly S. Budd said leaders need to advocate for people who cant afford their own counsel. Under the new law, someone in the country illegally would have to provide a passport or consular identification document to apply for a driver's license. Legislators, who often wrap up work at the last minute or blow past deadlines altogether, faced pressure to finalize a bill soon with the Sept. 6 statewide primary less than three months away. Charlie Baker delivers his state of the state address Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, in the House Chamber at the Statehouse, in Boston. Nick Collins of Boston, Anne Gobi of Spencer, Marc Pacheco of Taunton, Walter Timilty of Milton, and John Velis of Westfield voted against the bill, joining the Senates three Republicans, SHNS reported. All rights reserved, Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter, Mass. More on Driver's Licenses. That's a problem," Baker said Thursday morning. 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. Despite the overwhelming support from the Legislature, Massachusetts residents are split on allowing undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses, a recent poll showed. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Massachusetts Gov. No. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. Migrants have faced a warm welcome but major challenges, like housing and education. 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. All rights reserved. A bill that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for Massachusetts driver's licenses, appears poised for passage this week after more than 20 years in the making. Granting drivers licenses to illegal immigration is the wrong approach, he said. Charlie Baker. Phil Murphy in December 2019 after a long debate, allows for a standard drivers license to be issued to immigrants regardless of legal status. A No vote on the question would repeal the law (H.4805) that is scheduled to make illegal immigrants eligible to obtain drivers licenses starting on July 1, 2023. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! This story was updated to include more details from the legislative debate, as well as reaction to the vote and background on the issue. Here's what we know. She said she wants to leave the measure up to the voters, citing the Globe-Suffolk University poll. ", "We are once again overcome with happiness, pride and gratitude for today's historic vote in the Massachusetts Senate," 32BJ SEIU Vice President Roxana Rivera and Brazilian Worker Center Executive Director Lenita Reason, who together lead the coalition, said in a joint statement. Nineteen states have laws in place that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a drivers license, including Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington. WebLutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Undocumented immigrants will still At least one document must contain a photograph. Their spending plans for the fiscal year that starts July 1 do not broach the idea of tax relief, though the final fiscal 2023 budget deliberations could revise the state's tax revenue forecast. "This bill would provide broad benefits to our municipalities. We couldn't do it without you. More than 100 lawmakers have signed onto bills that would make Massachusetts the 17th state to give undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain This legislation is distracting us not just from the needs of U.S. citizens but even people here who are here illegally. Whether it's Healey or someone else, the next governor will have their work cut out on a series of intimidating and harrowing obstacles even if the state remains on good fiscal footing. Tel: +86 20 81608506, Home Existing state law prohibits anyone "who does not have lawful presence in the United States" from acquiring either a standard Massachusetts or expanded REAL ID-compliant driver's license. Huanhua Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou,Guangdong (P.R.China). 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 Under the legislation, the Registry of Motor Vehicles would be required to come up with regulations about what specific kinds of documentation are acceptable. 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.". In an event that Similar ceremonies for other legislation usually feature Baker wielding a pen over the parchment, but in this case it was Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano wielding their override pens. An aide to Baker said he supports existing state laws that allow those in the country legally to obtain drivers licenses. Drivers licenses for these people will only serve to encourage more undocumented people to move to Massachusetts.. Critics of the measure have argued that drivers licenses are a privilege that should not be offered to those not in the country legally. Before the bill becomes law, representatives from the House and Senate must reconcile the different language between the two bills, and then it must be signed by Gov. The final vote in the Senate was 328 to approve the bill over Baker's objection. Once the law is fully implemented, new drivers are likely to spend $62 million on car insurance policies. 109. , 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). News Headlines newsletter, Mass '' Baker said Thursday morning Republican governor, Charlie,. 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