Toolkit | Access to Driver’s Licenses
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS
TOOLKIT CONTENTSSupporters of Driver’s License Campaigns
Insurance | Business | Law Enforcement | Government | Education | Community and Civil Rights | Health | Labor | Religious and Faith-based
Media, Community Education, Petitions, Letters of Support, and Public Opinion
California | Colorado | Connecticut | District of Columbia | Iowa | Illinois | Massachusetts | New Jersey | New Mexico | Oregon
Supporters of Driver’s License Campaigns
The following have expressed support for previous driver’s license campaigns:
INSURANCE
- Illinois Insurance Association (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- AON Corporation (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- CNA Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Mesirow Financial (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
BUSINESS
- Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Green Industries Association (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Restaurant Association (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Little Village Chamber of Commerce (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Pete’s Fresh Market (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Poag Mahone’s (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Sopraffina Marketcaffes (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Trattoria 10 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Brendan Comito, Capital City Fruit, Inc., COO (Iowa)
- Joe Crookham, Musco Lighting CEO (Iowa)
- Oregon Association of Nurseries (supporters of Oregon SB 833)
“All Oregonians, regardless of the documents they have, need the ability to participate in the local economy,” said Jeff Stone, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. “People need to pass a test, obtain a license and insurance to be on the roads. We all need to get to church, the store and work. We have worked hard to craft a bill that allows our law enforcement officials to know when they are looking at a valid driver’s license. Senate Bill 833 is a reasonable solution to the problem.”
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Union County, New Jersey, Sheriff Joseph Cryan, “For Safety of All Motorists, N.J. [Should] Provide Licenses for Undocumented Drivers,” Star-Ledger (nj.com) op-ed, Nov. 13, 2015.
- Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the County Sheriffs of Colorado (supporters of Colorado SB 13-251)
- Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran, Kane County Sheriff Patrick Perez, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart (supporters of Illinois SB 957)**
- Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington, Berwyn Chief of Police Jim Ritz, Melrose Park Chief of Police Rosa Pitassi (supporters of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cook County Judge Jesse Reyes and retired Cook County Judge Patrick McGann (supporters of Illinois SB 957)**
- Hispanic Illinois State Law Enforcement Association (HISLEA) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Police chiefs, including Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy (supporter of Illinois SB 957)***
- Michael W. Tupper, Chief of Police, Marshalltown Police Department; Bill McCarthy, Sheriff, Polk County Sheriff’s Office; Daniel J. Trelka, Director of Safety Services, Waterloo, Iowa; Ric Martinez, Public Safety Director, Nevada, Iowa; Mark Prosser, Public Safety Director / Police Chief, Storm Lake Police Department; Judy Bradshaw, Chief of Police, Des Moines Police Department; Paul H. Fitzgerald, Sheriff, Story County Sheriff’s Office; John R. “Jake” McGee, Chief of Police, Oskaloosa Police Department; Lawrence McNaul, West Liberty City Administrator/Chief of Police (signers of a statement titled “Safe Roads in Iowa: Why a Temporary Driver’s Card for Eligible Immigrants Protects the Public“)
GOVERNMENT
- State Senator Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) (supporter of Connecticut’s HB 6495)
PRESS RELEASE
“This is an important public safety measure that ensures drivers on the road possess the necessary qualifications and insurance. Reliable transportation is a necessity in modern life. The need to earn a living does not vanish just because a person does not have the appropriate immigration credentials. Most undocumented immigrants would like to operate vehicles within the law. We make this impossible by denying these residents access to drivers’ licenses. Not only is driving itself illegal for them, but without a legal license, these drivers cannot purchase the required insurance.”
- Former Colorado Senate President John Morse (D-Colo. Springs) (supporter of Colorado SB 13-251)
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
“As a former cop who patrolled the streets of Colorado Springs, I know that these licenses will make our neighborhoods safer. On the contrary, prohibiting them does nothing to solve the immigration problem that we have; all it does is negatively affect public safety. These new licenses and IDs will allow peace officers to accurately identify people they pull over, and that goes a long way.”
- State Senator Jessie Ulibarri (D-Commerce City) (supporter of Colorado SB 13-251)
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
“Our roads will be safer when we can properly ID everyone who drives on them. These licenses will allow many of our neighbors to get insured, and take responsibility for their actions on the roads. In fact, we estimate that thousands more Colorado drivers will get insured because of this law.”
- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
PRESS RELEASE
“I want to commend members of the Illinois House for their bipartisan passage of legislation that will help ensure every Illinois motorist is properly licensed and empower more immigrants to become stronger contributors to our economy.”
- Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
“I know that we are all safer when every driver on the road is trained, tested, licensed, and insured. Under the current situation those of us with auto insurance subsidize those who are uninsured. If just half of the 250,000 unlicensed immigrants get licensed and insured, then Illinois policyholders will save $46 million per year in policy payments.”
- Illinois Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
“This bill is a proactive step to help guarantee the safety and well-being of all Illinois residents. Our goal is to train, license and insure every eligible Illinois driver, regardless of legal status, to make our roads safer for all travelers. I am pleased to support this progressive bill and call on legislators to vote in favor of this public safety measure.”
- Senate President John Cullerton (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez (supporter of Illinois SB 957)***
- Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
STATEMENT POSTED ON THE COOK COUNTY WEBSITE
“This commonsense legislation will allow individuals who are already driving to work, school and worship services to continue to do so in Cook County without fear of unnecessary and costly incarceration. Requiring all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, to be trained, tested, licensed and insured will make our roads safer and ease the burden on Cook County courts and the jail.”
- Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cook County Clerk of Circuit Court Dorothy Brown (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chicago City Clerk Susana A. Mendoza (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
PRESS RELEASE
“We all know that legal drivers are safer drivers. What I see every day in my Office are drivers who are complying with the City wheel tax and buying their City Vehicle Sticker without a driver’s license. These drivers have demonstrated their willingness to do the right thing and SB 957 will give them the opportunity to be properly tested and insured to drive legally on our roads by obtaining a Temporary Visitor Driver’s License.”
- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties Delegate Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk (supporter of Maryland SB 715)
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
“The truth of the matter is they are here. They are living in Maryland. The truth of the matter is that you’re not going to be able to take them all and send them home. So should you forget about them and make their lives miserable? Who pays for it in the end? The truth of the matter is they need to get to work. Their children need to get to school. This is the humane thing to do.”
- Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks (supporter of Maryland SB 715)
- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (supporter of Maryland SB 715)
- State Senator Ruben Kihuen (D-Las Vegas) (supporter of Nevada SB 303)
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
“Denying driving privilege to the undocumented population jeopardizes safety and raises insurance rates for everyone SB 303 will bring in new revenue at a time when we desperately need it…There are over 100,000 undocumented people in Nevada who could benefit from this proposed bill. It could mean millions of dollars in stimulus to our economy. They will purchase cars, they will purchase insurance and they will drive to stores, take trips and more easily find a job.”
- Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla (supporter of Puerto Rico P C0900)
“Su contribución al país y el respeto a la dignidad humana los convierte en merecedores de cierta protección fundamental en nombre del estado.”
- Model government resolution in support of expanding access to driver’s licenses to undocumented state residents (developed by New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice*)
EDUCATION
- DePaul University (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Dominican University (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Institute of Technology (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Northeastern Illinois University (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Roosevelt University (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
COMMUNITY & CIVIL RIGHTS
- CASA de Maryland (supporter of Maryland SB 715)
PRESS RELEASE
Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA de Maryland, said, “Maryland once again proved that despite a broken immigration system, reasonable minds can build safe communities that are knit together by our common interests. Our members, mothers and fathers, shop owners and seamstresses, need access to licenses to get to work, to drive their children to school, to take their parents to the doctor. Thanks to the visionary leadership of the Maryland General Assembly, they are one step closer to making those journeys without fear.”
“Help grant driver’s licenses for all Maryland’s immigrants.”
- Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (supporter of Colorado SB 13-251)
Communications Coordinator Juan Gallegos explained the need and purpose of improving driver safety in a newspaper article: “It would be one of the biggest things that would impact the life of immigrants…You have to drive to the hospital, you have to drive your children to school, you have to drive to work — everywhere you have to go.”
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (supporter of Illinois SB 957)
– FAQs about the bill: English | Spanish
– Created a hotline for people to ask for more information.
– Posted a call to action on their website, asking people to contact their representatives to encourage their support for the bill.
Lawrence Benito, CEO of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, states, “Passing the highway safety legislation is proof that both parties can put the politics of fear and scapegoating aside and work on practical solutions that keep our roads and families safe… Illinois is an example of what can happen nationally.”
- Albany Park Neighborhood Council (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Arab American Action Network (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Arab American Family Services (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Asian American Institute (supporter of Illinois SB 957)** (see also AAI press release)
- Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chicago Commons (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chicago Irish Immigrant Support (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chinese American Service League (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cicero Area Project (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Community Health Partnership (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Community Renewal Society (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- CONFEMEX (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Enlace Chicago (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Erie Neighborhood House(supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Family Focus Aurora (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- FEDECMI (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois People’s Action (supporter of Illinois SB 957)** (see also op-ed article by the Rev. Tony E. Pierce, president of the board of Illinois People’s Action, in support of SB 957)
- Immigrant Youth Justice League (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Instituto del Progreso Latino (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Korean American Community Services (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- La Voz Latina (Rockford) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Latino Organization of the Southwest (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Logan Square Neighborhood Association (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Mano a Mano Family Resource Center (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Mexican Cultural Institution (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Mujeres Latinas en Acción (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- National People’s Action (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Northern Immigrant Alliance (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Northwest Side Housing Center (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Polish Initiative of Chicago (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Southwest Organizing Project (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Spanish Community Center (Joliet) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- The Resurrection Project (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- United African Organization (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- United Congress of Community and Religion Organizations (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- West Suburban Action Project (PASO) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- WINGS: Women in Need Growing Stronger (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- ACLU of Iowa (Iowa)
- American Friends Service Committee (Iowa)
- Crossing Borders – Dubuque (Iowa)
- Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown (Iowa)
- Iowa Citizen Action Network (Iowa)
- Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI) (Iowa)
- Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Iowa)
- Iowa Commission on Latino Affairs (Iowa)
- League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Iowa (Iowa)
- LUNA (Latinas Unidas por Un Nuevo Amanecer) (Iowa)
- Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center (Iowa)
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland (supporter of Maryland SB715)
TESTIMONY
“Providing universal access to driver’s licenses is a critical element of treating all of Maryland’s residents with equal dignity and respect because it is critical to ensuring that all Marylanders have access to the necessities of daily life. The two-tiered system proposed in this bill would ensure that the provision of such access does not affect its compliance with REAL ID standards.”
The testimony proceeds to explain the bill’s compliance with REAL ID.
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada (supporter of Nevada SB 303)
- Mi Familia Vota NV (supporter of Nevada SB 303)
- Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) (supporter of Nevada SB 303)
- Causa (Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization) (supporter of Oregon SB 833) (see also FAQ andstatement to the press)
- Immigrant Law Group (supporter of Oregon SB 833)
- La Comision Dominicana para los Derechos Humanos (supporter of Puerto Rico P C0900)
STATEMENT TO THE PRESS
“Todos los inmigrantes serán beneficiados por esto..Va a crear millones de dólares en ingresos… cuando todos esos inmigrantes obtengan su licencia, compren un automóvil y obtengan la matrícula de sus vehículos”, indicó José Rodríguez, presidente de la Comisión Dominicana para los Derechos Humanos.
- Vermont Migrant Justice (supporter of Vermont S 38)
HEALTH
- Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council (MCHC) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Alivio Medical Center (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Cook County Hospital (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Holy Cross Hospital (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- MacNeal Hospital-Berwyn (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Norwegian American Hospital (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Anthony Hospital (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Sinai Health System (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Weiss Hospital-Chicago Lakefront (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- West Suburban Hospital-Oak Park (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Westlake Hospital-Melrose Park (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
LABOR
- Chicago Federation of Labor (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chicago Teachers Union (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- FOP Labor Council (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois AFL-CIO (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Illinois Federation of Teachers (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Niles Township Federation of Teachers (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- North Suburban Teachers Union (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- SEIU Illinois State Council (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- SEIU Healthcare (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- SEIU Local 1 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- SEIU Local 73 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Teamsters Local 705 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Teamsters Local 742 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Teamsters Local 777 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- UE Electrical Workers (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- UFCW Local 881 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- UNITE HERE Local 1 (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Iowa AFL-CIO (Iowa)
- Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) (supporter of Oregon SB 833)
RELIGIOUS & FAITH-BASED
- Colorado Catholic Conference (supporter of Colorado SB 13-251) (Posted a call to action on their website, asking people to contact their representatives to encourage their support for the bill.)
- 8th Day Center for Justice (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- AJC Chicago (American Jewish Committee) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Dr. Byron T. Brazier, Apostolic Church of God (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Catholic Conference of Illinois (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Iglesia Amor del Padre (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- LCWR Region 8 Executive Committee (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Monastic Council of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- New Hope Apostolic Ministry (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- North Shore Unitarian Church (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Our Lady of Tepeyac (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Priests for Justice (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Project IRENE (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Protestants for the Common Good (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Providence of God (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Sisters of Charity, BVM (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Agnes of Bohemia (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Adalbert (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Ann (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Clare (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Gall (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Joseph (Back of the Yards) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Joseph (McHenry County) (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Mary Star of the Sea (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Nicholas of Tolentine (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Pius V (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- St. Rita Catholic Church (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Sisters and Brothers for Immigrants (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Sisters of Mercy (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- The Leadership Team of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Wilmette, IL (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- United Congress of Community and Religion Organizations (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- United Methodist Church (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ (supporter of Illinois SB 957)**
- Iowa Catholic Conference (Iowa)
- Interfaith Alliance of Iowa & Action Fund (Iowa)
- AMOS (A Mid Iowa Organizing Strategy) (Iowa)
- Trinity United Methodist Church, Las Americas Communidad de Fe (Iowa)
- Methodist Federation for Social Action, Iowa Chapter (Iowa)
- Iowa JFON Committe (Iowa)
- Maryland Catholic Conference (supporter of Maryland SB 715)
** Included in a list of supporters compiled by the Highway Safety Coalition.
*** Mentioned in “SB 957: Frequently Asked Questions,” by the Highway Safety Coalition.
Media, Community Education, Petitions,
Letters of Support, and Public Opinion
The following resources can be used to guide campaign and community organizers in preparing for grassroots media strategizing, community education, and community calls-to-action in support of providing access to driver’s licenses for all.
CALIFORNIA
Sacramento Bee article reporting on a Field Poll showing that Californians in record numbers want to grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants (Feb. 22, 2013).
“The one change that is truly needed is for the State to provide a mechanism to issue drivers licenses to all people who are qualified to drive. The issuance of licenses would be very beneficial to our community and public safety” (July 2, 2013).
- Letter from George Gascón, former police chief and current district attorney of San Francisco, endorsing California’s AB 60
“I’m writing … to urge passage of AB 60, which would allow the California Department of Motor Vehicles … to issue drivers licenses to all qualified drivers…. Allowing all Californians to apply for a driver’s license will increase the number of safe, properly insured drivers on the road” (Aug. 27, 2013).
Press release from California Assemblymember Luis Alejo (Sept. 6, 2013). The press release quotes Kim Raney, president of the California Police Chiefs Association: “This legislation will assure that all persons who drive in California are licensed, have insurance, and are subject to enforcement of California’s driving laws. Assembly Bill 60 also provides for needed identification security which will enable those charged with limiting access to secure locations to make the appropriate inquiry of anyone presenting a driver’s license to obtain such access.”
A Sept. 13, 2013, Los Angeles Times article reporting that “The new bill comes after some of California’s top law enforcement officials, including Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, expressed strong support for the idea. They argued that immigrants should not fear cooperating with police or feel harassed simply because of their immigration status” (bolding added).
The article summarizes the reaction of California Police Chiefs Assn. President Kim Raney: “[He] said the plan should put an end to many of the headaches police departments deal with concerning unlicensed immigrant drivers.”
The article quotes Chief Beck as saying that the new law is “a big step forward in making our roads safer.”
NBC-TV Los Angeles story reporting that “Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill … that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a California driver’s license.
“Brown joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck for a signing ceremony … in front of Los Angeles City Hall. The state Assembly approved AB60 on a 55-19 vote on the final day of the recent legislative session, allowing some 2 million people in California to get a driver’s license” (Oct. 3, 2013).
COLORADO
Includes suggested messaging, harder questions, personal stories, and media basics. (Coloradans for Immigrant Rights*)
Includes description of law, FAQs, and ways to get involved. (Driver’s Licenses for All*)
- Community Education Brochure on SB 251 (Spanish; Driver’s Licenses for All*)
- Invitation to Community to Support Campaign (English; Driver’s Licenses for All*)
- Postcard to Legislator in Support of SB 251 (English; Driver’s Licenses for All*)
CONNECTICUT
Fact sheet, including public safety benefits, insurance benefits and economic benefits and invitation to join the campaign. (CONECT*)
Provides sources for factual claims in the “Support Safe Driving” campaign sheet. (CONECT*)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
- D.C. May Issue Identical Driver’s License for Residents Here Legally and Illegally
(Washington Post, July 2, 2013)
IOWA
A poll conducted by North Carolina–based Public Policy Polling “found that 58 percent of all Iowa caucus-goers support driver’s licenses for immigrants, regardless of immigration status.” The poll, which was commissioned by the ACLU of Iowa, surveyed 506 Iowa caucus-goers (slightly more Republicans than Democrats) on February 16 and 17, 2016.
Op-ed published in the Des Moines Register, authored by Mike Tupper, Marshalltown chief of police, and Bill McCarthy, Polk County sheriff. The article apparently also was “signed by” Paul Fitzgerald, Story County sheriff; Judy Bradshaw, Des Moines chief of police; Ric Martinez, Nevada public safety director; Mark Prosser, Storm Lake public safety director/police chief; and Daniel J. Trelka, Waterloo director of safety services.
ILLINOIS
Provides information about the driver’s license law, invitation to join the campaign and list of current supporters. (Highway Safety Coalition*)
MASSACHUSETTS
- Letter from Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker to chairpersons of the Massachusetts Joint Transportation Committee in support of H.3285, An Act Relative to Safe Driving
“It is our opinion that all residents will benefit due to these provisions as the indicendes of unlicensed and uninsured motorists would be reduced, which makes sense from a public safety standpoint.”
NEW JERSEY
- [Model] Resolution in Support of Expanding Access to Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented New Jersey Residents (New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice*)
NEW MEXICO
- New NM Poll Provides Insights on Key Policies to be Considered in State Legislature (Latino Decisions, Jan. 16, 2016). This is a summary of a survey, conducted by national Latino political research firm Latino Decisions and commissioned by Somos un Pueblo Unido, “into the attitudes of registered voters in New Mexico regarding the REAL ID issue, access to driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, and immigrants more broadly.” The survey results show that 56% of registered voters support offering residents of New Mexico a choice between obtaining a REAL ID-compliant license and a license marked “not valid for federal identification purposes” and overwhelming support (69%) for continuing access to NM driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.
- Our View: On Licenses, New Mexico Leads (Santa Fe New Mexican editorial)
- Articles by NILC’s Joan Friedland. These three articles explain why New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’s repeated attempts to repeal New Mexico driver’s licenses laws are bad public policy and have been rejected by the state legislature: Misdirected Policy: New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez’s Campaign to Repeal the State’s Driver’s License Law | Despite Governor’s Best Efforts, New Mexico Keeps Driver’s Licenses for the Undocumented | New Mexico Governor Uses Her Latest Anti-Immigrant Driver’s License Proposal as Fundraising Tool
OREGON
- 100 Days of Stories / Cien Días, Cien Historias, a project of Causa Oregon 2014 in support of maintaining Oregon’s law that provides access to driver’s licenses for all eligible residents.
Portraits of and stories by Oregonians affected by the barrier of not being able to drive legally, leading up to the November 2014 referendum vote in Oregon.
- Letter from Chief Ron Louie of the Hillsboro Police Department to the Governor’s Office “to announce my strong support for SB 833 (Short Term Driver Licenses for Oregon residents)”
- Letter from Portland Police Chief Michael Reese to the Governor’s Office, subject: “Support of SB 833 – Short Term Driver License”
* This organization gave NILC permission to upload this item to NILC’s website.