Another U.S. state may start giving illegal drivers a license
The Senate of Virginia, the majority of which are representatives of the Democratic Party, passed a law through which illegal immigrants will be able to obtain temporary driver’s licenses, writes CNN.
This bill, SB 34, will allow Virginia taxpayers, who can prove their identity and possess driving skills, to obtain a driver's license for a year, regardless of their immigration status.
In accordance with current Virginia law, people applying for a driver’s license must provide proof of “legal stay” in the country.
Within the framework of the Drivers Privilege Cards program provided for by the bill, individuals will need to pass a written test for knowledge of traffic rules and a driving test, as well as get insurance.
Законопроект сейчас направляется в Палату представителей, которая также находится под контролем демократов, поэтому у документа — очень высокие шансы на принятие. После этого законопроект должен будет подписать глава штата. Губернатор-демократ Ральф Нортам ранее уже высказывал в поддержку такой меры, заявляя о готовности подписать законопроект. Если все пойдет по плану, закон вступит в силу 1 января 2021 года.
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The author of the bill, Democratic Senator Scott Surovell, has been working on such a measure since 2016. After a Senate vote, he called the document "a bill on public safety and the quality of life."
Republicans opposed this measure. Last month, Republican Terry Austin said at a House of Representatives hearing: “This ID can be misleading, and they will then think that the owner of the document is a United States citizen. Innovation could jeopardize United States security. ”
However, according to the bill, a driver's license for a year will not be considered a valid identity card for federal purposes, to vote or to receive social assistance.
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If the bill is passed, then Virginia will become the 18th region of the United States (including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), where illegal immigrants will be able to get a driver’s license.
State immigrant advocacy groups have welcomed the Virginia Senate Act. According to the Institute for Migration Policy for 2017, 269 illegal immigrants live in Virginia.
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