The state of Massachusetts will implement driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants starting this Saturday, which are expected to benefit more than 250,000 drivers.
The so-called Labor and Family Mobility Law was approved by both state chambers in 2022, and survived despite the veto of former Republican Governor Charlie Baker because a majority gave it the go-ahead in last November’s elections.
Massachusetts thus joins 17 other states and the District of Columbia (Washington DC) that have already approved similar measures in the United States. Last March the state of Minnesota approved a similar measure.
“Roads in Massachusetts are about to get much safer,” the MIRA coalition said in a statement on Friday.
Elizabeth Sweet, director of MIRA, noted that allowing people, regardless of immigration status, to apply for driver’s licenses will ensure that all drivers meet the same insurance, test and other requirements.
He added that this document will give “all drivers, whether they are traveling to work, school or the supermarket, the opportunity to breathe a little easier.”
Applicants must provide proof of identity and date of birth, and proof of residence in Massachusetts, among other documents.
Only the Massachusetts Vehicle Registration (RMV) requires the payment of the learner’s permit, driving test and driver’s license.
The MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) coalition warned that if someone else asks for money, it is a scam.
He stressed that as the law goes into effect, it is critical that state officials, including the RMV, partner with immigrant service providers to ensure everyone understands how to apply for a license and avoid scams that offer to speed up the process. application.
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Minnesota joins states that approve driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants