Colorado: Immigrants push for license initiative
Immigrants push for license initiative
9news.com
Written by Brandon Rittiman
VIDEO: Immigrants push for license initiative in Colorado | Video | 9news.com
AURORA - Backers of a ballot initiative that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain Colorado drivers' licenses have their work cut out for them.
Supporters of Initiative 52 report they've gathered about 20,000 signatures and hope to gather at least 100,000 more before the Aug. 6, 2012 deadline.
Questions for the November ballot need 86,105 valid signatures in order to qualify.
Illegal immigrants used to be able to obtain drivers' licenses in Colorado, but state lawmakers outlawed it in 1999.
The initiative would undo the ban, but add an additional requirement for undocumented immigrants to bring in their prior year's Colorado income tax return and an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN).
What is an ITIN?
Proponents argue that the policy would make Colorado's streets safer. Undocumented drivers have a higher tendency to flee the scene when involved in accidents because they fear being caught without a license.
Illegal immigrants can currently obtain auto insurance, but complain that it is prohibitively expensive to purchase.
"A license allows people to qualify for insurance at a reduced rate to what they are paying now," said Jen Piper with the Yes on 52 campaign. "More people would be able to afford it."
Washington and New Mexico are the only two states that issue drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants. Utah issues a driving privilege card that does not act as a legal form of identification.
Opponents worry that adding Colorado to that short list could lead to an influx of illegal immigrants.
"It would create yet another incentive to come to Colorado illegally," said State Representative Chris Holbert (R-Parker). "I think that people who may look to come to the United States illegally or are already here in a different state would look to Colorado as a place that would provide an additional incentive."
The initiative would also allow illegal immigrants to obtain state ID cards. Supporters argue this would improve relations between immigrants and police.
Holbert is skeptical of the odds of the question actually making it to the ballot.
"No one who would benefit from Initiative 52 can legally sign that petition," Holbert said.
Supporters say they've rallied a few hundred volunteers to gather signatures and have raised only about $7,500 so far for the effort.
But they do promise if the question doesn't make it to the ballot, they will try again until it does.
source: Immigrants push for license initiative | 9news.com
