Thread: WI Measure grants driving rights to undocumented immigrants

Measure grants driving rights to undocumented immigrants

Published June 15, 2009 | 12:04 a.m.

Special driver cards intended to improve safety on roadways

BY TERRY FLORES
tflores@kenoshanews.com

A plan to offer special cards that would allow undocumented immigrants a legal means to drive vehicles in the state survived the Assembly’s budget vote early Saturday.

The driver cards would be issued to people without proof of legal presence in the country, but would be used only for the purposes of driving and not as documentation to determine immigration status, according to the proposal. The proposal was approved by the joint finance committee in late May.

The budget was approved 50-48, almost exclusively along party lines, with no Republicans voting in favor of it. Republicans offered to amend the section pertaining to the driver cards, but the measure was tabled along with other amendments, said state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Randall.

“Our amendment was basically to take it out of the joint finance version,â€

The flaw in their argument is that illegal aliens who are driving but do not know how to drive well are not going to stop driving just because they do not have a drivers card. Those who can drive well are not going to have a reduced number of accidents just because they have a drivers card.

I need to know when this bill will be voted on in the Wisconsin Senate!

W

Wisconsin - please give heads up what we can do for you now or prior to this bill getting voted on in the Senate.

"the Wisconsin State Troopers Association and the police chiefs of Milwaukee and Madison, are in favor of the cards" - WHY?

W., I've been screaming about this all last week... not only will illegal aliens get driver's cards but they will also receive in-state tuition in Wisconsin...

See Below...

Budget Highlights

Following are highlights of the $62.2 billion, two-year spending plan passed early Saturday by the state Assembly on a 50-48 vote.

The 2009-11 budget now heads to the Senate. If the plans passed by the two houses aren't identical, a special committee would meet to come up with a compromise before it's sent to Gov. Jim Doyle for his consideration. Doyle can make additional changes through his veto power.

- Creates a new driver's card for illegal immigrants that would allow them to drive, but it could not be used as identification to get on an airplane.

- Allows illegal immigrants who graduate from Wisconsin high schools and have lived in the state three years to qualify for in-state tuition at Wisconsin universities and technical colleges.

Seems to me if someone has one of these driving cards their is no need to ask their status in this country...the mere fact that you have one answers that question.

I m actually surprised every pro illegal activist group are not going after this.....pretty much tells the authorities who is illegal!

Originally Posted by American-ized

W., I've been screaming about this all last week... not only will illegal aliens get driver's cards but they will also receive in-state tuition in Wisconsin...

See Below...

Budget Highlights

Following are highlights of the $62.2 billion, two-year spending plan passed early Saturday by the state Assembly on a 50-48 vote.

The 2009-11 budget now heads to the Senate. If the plans passed by the two houses aren't identical, a special committee would meet to come up with a compromise before it's sent to Gov. Jim Doyle for his consideration. Doyle can make additional changes through his veto power.

- Creates a new driver's card for illegal immigrants that would allow them to drive, but it could not be used as identification to get on an airplane.

- Allows illegal immigrants who graduate from Wisconsin high schools and have lived in the state three years to qualify for in-state tuition at Wisconsin universities and technical colleges.

Allows illegal immigrants who graduate from Wisconsin high schools and have lived in the state three years to qualify for in-state tuition at Wisconsin universities and technical colleges.

Just why would simply having one of these cards give you right to taxpayer money to further your education?? Stupid!

I believe that the Illinois legislation for driver's certificates is still stuck in the state sentate as of 1/ 13/ 09, not sure though. If anyone has current info please post. The bill provided for driver's certificates - not licenses - and included the following stipulations:

- Prohibits the use of the certificate as federal identification [sec 10].

- Requires that the certificate be visually different from a drivers license or permit [sec 10].

- Requires applicants to be 18 years of age and have a tax identification number or social security number [sec 10].

- Requires applicants to provide proof of identity, birth date, and residence [sec 10].

- Requires applicants to be fingerprinted [sec 10].

- Requires applicants to pay a fee of $10 and any additional costs [sec 10].

- Requires that applicants give up all fake driver's licenses or identification cards [sec 10].

- Requires the Secretary of State to revoke driver's certificates if the holder of the certificate has violated any tax laws [sec 10].

- Requires individuals with driver's certificates to purchase automobile insurance [sec 10].

- Prohibits using a driver's certificate to obtain a Firearm Owner's ID card [sec 10].

https://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote ... n_id=33428

The issue of unlicenses and uninsured illegals driving is still a hot button issue in the area I live in.

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

I need to know when this bill will be voted on in the Wisconsin Senate!

W

Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice | …working toward the ...We need your help to ensure the Driver Card provision stays in the State Budget and is signed into law! The budget will go to the Senate next week for a vote. .... Bill Christofferson for details, by July 15th, 2009. xofferson@wi.rr.com or 414-486-9651. ... WNPJ offers "Immigrants Welcome" yard and window signs ...
www.wnpj.org/ -

http://www.wnpj.org/node/2120

Originally Posted by ALIPAC

I need to know when this bill will be voted on in the Wisconsin Senate!

W

It looks like the vote might be tomorrow.
------------------------------------------------

Call your State Senators TODAY About the Budget

Submitted by staff on Mon, 06/15/2009 - 1:50pm Action Alert


Call your Senators TODAYCALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY TO SUPPORT:
Drivers' Licenses and In-state Tuition
in State Budget

LLAME SU SENADOR HOY:
Para apoyar Licencias de Conducir y la Matricula Estatal

English:
The Senate Democratic Caucus is meeting today and could vote tomorrow on the budget. Please call your state senator immediately to ask for their support in keeping driving cards and in-state tuition for immigrants in the state budget.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Vanessa at 414-643-1620 x-201.


Spanish:

El Senado puede votar hoy o mañana sobre el presupuesto estatal. Favor de llamar inmediatamente para decirle que apoye las tarjetas de conducir y la matricula estatal en el presupuesto.


Take ACTION
1. Call your state legislators and ask them to support the Driver Card provision in the State Budget by Friday, June 5th.
2. Sign the on-line petition
3. Write a letter to the Editor
4. Read the Fact Sheet About Drivers Cards

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR TODAY!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Voces de la Frontera logoAsk them to support the Driver Card provision in the State Budget.
To find your legislators, click here: Who is my representative?

You can also call the legislative hotline at 1-800-362-9472.


Some Helpful Advice for When you Call your Legislators:

* Give them your name and let them know that you live in their district. They may ask for your contact information.

* Ask them to support the Driver Card provision in the 2009-2011 State Budget. Tell them why this is important to you.

* If they support the Driver Card provision, thank them for being a supporter.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sign the Petition to the Legislature and the Governor:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Write a Letter to the Editor
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sample Letter to the Editor: Support Driving Cards

I support the provision in the 2009-2011 State Budget that would create driving cards for immigrants in Wisconsin because it makes sense to have all drivers on our roads operating vehicles safely. The driving card is an option for states under the federal REAL ID Act authored by Rep. Sensenbrenner in 2005. The driving card would keep our roads safer by insuring that all drivers obtain driver's education, pass driver's testing, and have access to insurance. The driving card would help protect public safety by enabling law enforcement to have proof of identity for drivers behind the wheel. If passed, the Driving Card would bring in 1 million dollars of revenue to the state each year.

The Driving Card is not only for undocumented immigrants but also for immigrants and refugees who have legal residency in process but who do not yet have social security numbers, and therefore are unable to acquire Wisconsin driver's licenses. Immigrant families positively contribute to our state every day. For example, over 40 percent of all workers on Wisconsin dairy farm are immigrants who are necessary for this $16 billion industry and need to travel to their jobs safely.

Contact Jeanne at 414.643.1620 x203 for more assistance on writing a letter to the editor in your community.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------Driving Card Fact Sheet
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the Driver Card?

The Driver Card is a limited purpose driver's license that would give full authority to operate a vehicle to applicants who are currently not able to provide proof of their immigration status required for a Wisconsin Driver's License. The federal REAL ID Act allows states to issue limited purpose drivers licenses to people who are not able to provide proof of their legal status and who are not eligible to receive a social security number. The Driver Card could not be used for federal purposes, which under REAL ID is defined as boarding an airplane or entering a federal building, but could be used for driving and obtaining insurance. Some states have passed similar measures, including the Utah State Legislature in March 2005. Utah currently issues 35,000 cards each year and the card generates $1 million dollars annual revenue.

To be eligible for a Driver Card, an applicant would need to successfully pass driving skills, knowledge, and vision tests and meet age requirement for driver's licenses; provide proof of residency in Wisconsin for at least 6 months; provide proof of identity; provide a valid Individual Taxpayer Identification Number from the IRS; and pay the applicable license fee. Persons with their driving privileges suspended or revoked in Wisconsin or another state will not be eligible for a Driver Card.

Why does Wisconsin need the Driver Card?
In May 2005 the U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act, requiring all states to check immigration status before issuing a driver's licenses or state ID, and to only issue driver's licenses to persons who are US citizens or have legal status. The state of Wisconsin, in anticipation of the REAL ID Act, passed a state law in March 2006 entitled Act 126, which took effect on April 1, 2007. Under Act 126, undocumented immigrants and persons with legal immigration status who do not have a social security number can no longer obtain a driver's license or state identification.

Immigrants have jobs and families that make driving a necessity. Because of Act 126, persons without proper documentation have been forced to drive without licenses or with false documents. Without a driver's license it is more difficult to access auto insurance, and having uninsured drivers on our roads puts all Wisconsin residents at risk. Restricting driver's licenses has made our roads less safe and does not solve the problem of our broken immigration system.

The Driver Card is needed to:

Protect Public Safety. The Driver Card would insure that more drivers on Wisconsin roads obtain proper driver education, pass driving tests and vision exams, and be entered into the state DMV database. People with Driver Cards would be eligible for auto insurance, therefore reducing the number of uninsured drivers on our streets. The Driver Card will help law enforcement officials conducting traffic stops by providing a positive proof of identity of the driver and access to their driving record.

Bring Needed Revenue to Wisconsin. In a time of fiscal crisis, the Driver Card will bring badly needed revenue to our state. The Wisconsin Fiscal Bureau estimates the Driver Card will generate $1 million dollars within the first year of implementation. The Driver Card would also provided a needed economic spark plug for the automotive industry and have a ripple effect into all sectors of the state economy. Since implementing a similar driver card in Utah, the state has issued over 35,000 cards and has brought in over $1 million dollars in revenue.

Help Wisconsin Families, Communities and Economy. Immigrants make countless positive contributions to Wisconsin communities, schools, churches, economy, and culture. For example, Latino immigrants make up an estimated 42% of the labor force on Wisconsin dairy farms, and have become essential to this $16 billion dollar industry and cultural cornerstone of our state. The Driver Card would ensure that people drive safely and legally to work in order to continue to be productive members of our communities.

For more background on the Driver Card, visit the Voces de la Frontera website, www.vdlf.org or call the office at 414.643.1620.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Us
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Voces de la Frontera - Milwaukee, 1027 S. 5th Street - Phone: 414-643-1620

Voces de la Frontera - Racine, 718 Memorial Drive - Phone: 262-619-4180

Voces de la Frontera - online

Proud Member of Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee

.608-250-9240, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, 122 State Street, Suite 402, Madison, WI 53703, Send an email to the office info@wnpj.org.