Panel backs Vt. drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants

Panel backs Vt. drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants Migrant supporters hope Legislature acts in '13

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But Sen. Peg Flory, the Rutland County Republican who also chairs the panel, disagrees. She thinks the new license or driver ID card should be distinguishable.

"But we all agree if you have a license and pass the test you're a safer driver, and if a policeman can identify you that's good thing, and if you have mobility to safely get around your community and feel a better sense of community, that's a good thing for all of us," Flory said.

It is now up to the full Legislature to consider what to do next. Gov. Peter Shumlin hopes to see action.

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wptz.com
Dec 17, 2012

(video at source)

MONTPELIER, Vt. —

A special Vermont legislative panel has put off issuing its final recommendation, but appears strongly in favor of allowing immigrant farmworkers in the country in violation of federal law to get state drivers' licenses.

The panel of nine, including lawmakers and people representing farm, immigrant and human rights groups, put the finishing touches Thursday to a report that's to be given to lawmakers as they convene next month.

Up for debate has been whether and how to issue Vermont drivers' licenses to farm workers who say they're unable to travel without them and feel isolated as a result.

"We live in hard conditions. We can't move freely," migrant Over Lopez told the panel.

Many have to rely on their employer, or a group of volunteer drivers.

Ann Burcroff of Montpelier is one of them and explained what she's seen over the last two years.

"When I'd drive five young men to the grocery, our first stop is the bank and we'd have to wait for the farmer's wife to come down and say 'These are indeed who they say they are, are indeed the people we're paying,' and they couldn't cash their paychecks for groceries until she did that for them," Burcoff told the panel.

Through an interpreter, migrant David Santiago added that "recently my brother had an accident on a nearby dairy farm and I couldn't visit him because I didn't have a license."

In an eight-to-one straw vote, the committee indicated support for making migrant workers eligible for a new kind of drivers' licenses that looks much like those Vermonters now carry.

But Sen. Peg Flory, the Rutland County Republican who also chairs the panel, disagrees. She thinks the new license or driver ID card should be distinguishable.

"But we all agree if you have a license and pass the test you're a safer driver, and if a policeman can identify you that's good thing, and if you have mobility to safely get around your community and feel a better sense of community, that's a good thing for all of us," Flory said.

It is now up to the full Legislature to consider what to do next. Gov. Peter Shumlin hopes to see action.

"(Undocumented workers) they shouldn't have
the same drivers' licenses we have, for security and other reasons -- but it does make sense to make it possible for them to legally operate a vehicle if they can pass the test," Shumlin said Thursday.

Panel backs Vt. drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants | Local News - WPTZ Home

MONTPELIER
Vt. panel considers licenses for illegal immigrants

Associated Press / December 13, 2012

A special Vermont legislative panel has put off issuing its final recommendation, but appears strongly in favor of allowing immigrant farmworkers in the country illegally to get state driver’s licenses. The panel of nine — including lawmakers and people representing farm, immigrant, and human rights groups — put the finishing touches Thursday to a report that is to be given to lawmakers as they convene next month. Up for debate has been whether and how to give Vermont driver’s licenses to farm workers who say they are unable to travel without them and feel isolated as a result.

Vt. panel considers licenses for illegal immigrants - News - Boston.com

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Shumlin Worried About Rights Of Illegal Aliens And Dopers

http://i694.photobucket.com/albums/v...l_mexican1.jpg

Shumlin orders probe of traffic stop involving [illegal] migrant workers

Why is Peter Shumlin more concerned about the rights of these criminals than he is about the rights of hard working, law abiding Vermonters?

“An internal investigation has been ordered, as well as a review of policies relating to incidents involving undocumented workers in the state to ensure bias-free policing conduct in all settings”.

Shouldn't the police be biased against undocumented criminals? Isn't it actually part of their job?

What about the doped up "protesters" who attempted to form a shield to block the police from doing their jobs?

One of the criminals was in Montpelier a few weeks ago to speak with the governor about curtailing federal programs like 'Secure Communities' that make it easier for police to catch and deport illegal immigrants.

The Crocker Post: Shumlin Worried About Rights Of Illegal Aliens And Dopers

Vt. Gov. Wants Police Directive On Migrant Workers

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"But my question is do we have adequate policies that give them the protection they need to ensure they're doing the policy we think is right when it comes to this rather complicated question of how we deal with guest workers in Vermont? Farmers can't survive without them. We know the federal government wants to send them home. And we don't."

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Shumlin Says State Policy Is To 'Look The Other Way'

UPDATED 11:02 AM EDT Sep 16, 2011

aid that during the stop "it was learned that the passengers were allegedly residing illegally" in the United States. The trooper notified the U.S. Border Patrol which requested VSP detain the Mexicans until federal agents arrived for the transfer to another facility for processing.

Members of the Vermont Migrant Workers Solidarity Project were outraged state police would involve themselves in immigration matters. Three supporters -- including project leader Brendan O'Neill of Underhill -- were arrested for disorderly conduct while trying to block the Border Patrol vehicle from leaving the parking lot.

O'Neill said the incident revealed racial profiling by the agency.

The governor's office issued a statement Tuesday night expressing "concern" over the case, ordering a review of current police policy relating to undocumented workers.

On Thursday Shumlin explained his rationale.

"We have always had a policy in Vermont where we kind of look the other way as much as we can," the governor said. "I just want to make sure that's what's we're doing."

Shumlin said Vermont farms simply "can't survive without workers from outside America. It's just the way it is. "

The state has seen a proliferation of migrants in recent years, by some estimates, half of the Vermont's dairy farms rely on foreign labor to help milk the cows each day.

"In order to harvest our crops, to get our milk to market there's no doubt about it," Shumlin added, "we need foreign workers."

Asked if he would order state police not to intervene in immigration matters going forward, the governor declined comment -- at least until his legal counsel completes her review of the case. But he left little doubt about his intentions.

"Look, Vermont State Police are the best in the world, they do a great job," the governor said. "But my question is do we have adequate policies that give them the protection they need to ensure they're doing the policy we think is right when it comes to this rather complicated question of how we deal with guest workers in Vermont? Farmers can't survive without them. We know the federal government wants to send them home. And we don't."

Vt. Gov. Wants Police Directive On Migrant Workers | WPTZ Home - WPTZ Home