New Law Will Allow Illegal Immigrants to Obtain Driver's Licenses
(Photo Credit: CBS)
Colorado's Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill Wednesday that will allow undocumented immigrants in Colorado to get a restricted driver's license, following the direction of other recent bill signings in states such as Oregon and Nevada.
The law will give illegal immigrants a way to legally drive on Colorado's roads, and will also allow them to become insured and be identified in the case of a car accident.
However, the new licenses will not be legal federal identification, and will also not be valid for boarding planes, obtaining public benefits, or voting. Additionally, the licenses will make it very apparent that the driver is not a U.S. citizen
Several states have already granted undocumented immigrants similar rights, sometimes labeled a "driving privilege card." Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington state are among the states that have enacted similar laws.
Colorado will require illegal immigrants to pass a driving test and prove that they are paying both state and federal taxes. Additionally, they must provide identification from their country of origin.
Governor John Hickenlooper hopes the Colorado law, in conjunction with other states moving in a similar direction, will be the first step in national immigration reform.
"I'm not trying to tell congress what form that takes, any of the details, but we are moving in that direction, and this is something that's a first step" Hickenlooper said.
The bill is not without opponents. Issues with unquestionable identification, and fears of creating more incentive for people to come to the state illegally are among the most pertinent issues surrounding criticism of the new law.
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