Bill would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain Massachusetts drivers licenses
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wwlp.com|By Hector Molina-WWLP 22News
Bill would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain Massachusetts drivers licenses
By: Hector Molina
Posted: Apr 29, 2019 12:44 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 29, 2019 05:29 PM EDT
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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)- Dozens of community and government leaders gathered alongside undocumented immigrants from western Massachusetts in Springfield Monday morning before heading to Boston for a rally to urge state legislators to pass The Family Mobility Act.
The bill would allow undocumented immigrants to have access to owning a standard driving license by showing proof of identity, date of birth and Massachusetts residency.
Members of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center told 22News that undocumented immigrants driving without a license often leads to their families being split apart.
"The leading causes of family separation by ICE in Massachusetts comes from the fact police pull over people and charge them for driving without a license in an uninsured vehicle. So passing this bill would make life safer for undocumented families," Andrea Schmid of The Pioneer Valley Workers Center said.
However, Governor Charlie Baker has said there should be verification of legal status before someone is given a license.
State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa said the bill will be reviewed by the state's committee of transportation.
She said passing this bill would allow undocumented immigrants in western Massachusetts to be less reliant on public transportation.
"If you live anywhere outside of Springfield, Holyoke, and Northampton it can be hard to find public transportation," Sabadosa told 22News. "It becomes more and more pressing for people to be safely licensed so we have safe roads safe drivers and safe communities."
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