Driver’s licenses for all?
January 30, 2013
More than 170 Latino immigrants gathered on a Friday in January 2013 to voice support for legislation to make people eligible for Minnesota driver’s licenses, without regard to immigration status. Thumbs up or thumbs down? Why?
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CJS-360 Diversity Issues 
I think this is a horrible idea to allow this to happen. The State of Minnesota currently issues a drivers license to Minnesota citizens, as well as non-U.S. citizens as long as the citizen can prove they are legally in the U.S. Many non-citizens have drivers license, which say something along the lines of “Status Check: mm-dd-yyyy” on the bottom right hand corner in green.
I think we need to promote people to want to become active members of U.S. society, including obtaining citizenship or a visa. It is wrong to allow people to come to the country illegally and then hand them all of the rights and privileges of our citizens.
I am not saying that minorities should not drive, or that foreigners should not drive. I am saying if immigrants want the same rights and privileges as U.S. citizens, they need to take the active steps of becoming one. I feel with the extra education gained from becoming a citizen, immigrants of the U.S. will have many more options available to them then they thought possible.
Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Immigrants
Submitted by Lindsay Mosser (not verified) on Wed, 2013-01-30 11:24.
I do not feel that passing new legislation for illegal immigrants to get their driver’s license is a good idea. They are here illegal and driving is a priviledge that must be earned, not expected. Although I completely understand where these individuals are coming from, (driving kids to school, emergencies, and independence) this would not help in reducing the # of Latinos who cross the border illegally. From a law enforcement and criminal justice perspective, we can’t have people running around with no identification and no documentation of their existence! I feel like if we pass this legislation there will be more issues than benefits, especially if one does not know English. I couldn’t imagine myself driving in another country and not only driving without a license, but not being able to read road signs, understand symbols, or know what to do when/if you get pulled over. It’s not only unsafe for the individual, but everyone on the road. Especially on Minnesota roads!
I couldn’t agree more, why waste the time and money to vote let along talk about this non sense. MN law is in black and white it’s a privilege to drive in our state not a right. I was at worked one day stopped a car with a Hmong lady inside and she couldn’t understand one word I was saying. On the other hand will it cause more crime if we don’t let them could it lead to more traffic stops that are based on race? Racial Profiling isn’t new. According to Walker, Spohn and Delone in the book The Color of Justice 73% of African Americans drivers where stopped and 81 % searched on I-95 and whites had a higher rate of speeding or traffic violation. Will 494,694 or I-35 be next?
I don’t think this legislation is a good idea. I would cite two reasons. The first is it that doesn’t promote citizenship, which is what we should encouraging. As U.S. citizens, we are given certain rights and privileges. Having a driver’s license is one of them. I think if this legislation were to pass it would only create more problems and we would have less people applying for citizenship.
Another reason why I disagree with this legislation is that it discriminates against U.S. citizens. A U.S. citizen could be pulled over and found to be without a valid driver’s license, and for whatever reasons aren’t able to obtain one. An illegal immigrant can go to the DMV and obtain a driver’s license. That just doesn’t seem very fair to me. I hear and understand what the people in the group were saying about how they want to be able to drive without fear and provide for their families and children, but you should be able to do that just like how all the other U.S. citizens do.
I found the woman’s comment where she placed the blame of the death of her unborn child on the officer without merit. If her child dies it’s her and her husbands fault. The priority of your child should be first. In order to provide for your child it means becoming a citizen in order to take yourself to the hospital so that your child can be born then so be it. I give credit to the officer who I feel did the right thing despite being in a tough situation. If this women was in any danger of her baby dying the officer would have recognized it and done all he could to help.
An illegal immigrant can not just go into a DMV and obtain a driver’s license, at least not anymore. Many illegal immigrants will travel to WI because you can get a license by showing an address and one of your bills. I’m not sure that is the case any longer as it has gotten tougher to get a license. But, I think the problem is much, much, deeper than just getting a license or becoming a citizen (the process by the way is very long and expensive – just another issue as to why most immigrants can not pursue becoming a citizen). Even if becoming a citizen was an option, and you could get the funds together, and take your classes, if you are here illegally, you still have to leave the US for a period of time. That probably means leaving your family and job and now presents many more problems for this individual. There are so many reasons why immigrants don’t do what we think should be so easy – their options are not easy or even obtainable sometimes. I really think our immigration system needs a major overhaul, it appears to be beyond fixing, but we can’t stop looking for solutions.
I will echo the same point that has been made regarding this story. I do not agree at all with this type of legislation being passed. While a drivers license will not allow you to do everything as if you were a legal citizen, I believe this sends the wrong message about illegal immigration in our country and in Minnesota. It is important however to hear the concerns of the people within the community you serve “a major concern among racial and ethnic minority communities is that police departments do not care about them” (Walker, Spohn, Delone, 2012). With that said, giving illegal immigrants state issued driver’s license undermines the seriousness of illegal immigration in this country. Its true, these may be good people going through difficult times and that’s why its important to let them know we will hear them out. The bottom line is there is a process to becoming a citizen here in the United States, we need to focus on how to make the process more efficient not help people surpass the process by making it easier to live here illegally.
Delone, M., Spohn, C., Walker, S. (2012). The Color of Justice.
After reading the chapter 5 my mind didn’t change at all when it comes to illegals and legal immigrants. If you are a legal immigrant you should have all the rights as everyone else that lives in the United States legally. The process in becoming a U.S. citizen maybe long and hard, but it would be worth it. There is a process in place for this for a reason, and it is the same for everyone doesn’t matter where you come from. The process should probably be overhauled and not the process for making it easier for illegal’s. When it comes to getting a driver license, should be available to all legal citizens in the U.S. no matter what race and I believe it is.
This is a question that is very opinionated. I personally feel that it would not be for most, the best interest for Minnesota State Legislator to pass a law giving not only Latino immigrants but all ethnicity immigrants the chance to be eligible for driver’s licenses. Relating this to the book “The color of justice: race, ethnicity, and crime in America, chapter five “The courts: A quest for justice during the pretrial process” looks at several different aspects of the pretrial process and looks at some minorities. From this point of view of the courts I believe it is wrong to deny trail or adequate trial based on some ones ethnicity. So this makes me ponder on the fact that I am deeming these immigrants as “denied” and unable to get a driver’s license due to their ethnicity. But I still wound not change my mind. For me I feel like it is a catch twenty-two and have been pondering my own questions for a while now. I wonder if others would agree and change their mind or keep their same opinions after reading the chapter and relating to this article.
I may be unpopular in my view on this, but I do not think it would be bad to allow immigrants (illegal or not) to get their drivers license. They would have to pass the same tests as we do, and if they pass them, then why not have a license? I think that part of the problem, that we in the US are completely missing, is that we do not understand the process of coming legally into the US. To come legally in the first place (from Mexico), you either have to prove you have a job waiting for you here in the US (a company willing to sponsor you and obtain a work visa), or you have to prove you have enough funds to be taking a vacation and obtain a visa for leisure. This pretty much rules out the majority, which is why they take the risk (and it’s a HUGE risk) of coming here illegally. They are coming to work, provide a better life for their family, find better opportunities, and what they find is more hardship and obstacles. If allowing them to take the drivers test, obtain a license, and feel safer on the roads, then why not? Having a license will also allow them to purchase insurance just like the rest of us, instead of also having to worry about being uninsured. I believe there are many more problems by not allowing them to get a license. We are keeping them oppressed. They are already here, they are already working, they are already a part of society, why alienate them even more? People will continue to migrate, it’s pretty obvious that we are not going to stop them, so maybe it’s time to change how we think of the whole immigration system, and figure out a way for them to feel a part of the country that they live, work, and have children in.
And, it seems pretty ridiculous that a police officer would make a women in labor wait around, then make them find another ride. What he/she should have done was drive them to the hospital in the squad car with lights flashing, instead of worrying about their status at that moment.
I would like to offer a different viewpoint on this subject. I think that this legislation is wrong and shouldn’t be passed. I would like to share why I have reached a different conclusion.
I know people who have come from Mexico and entered into this country legally. They said it wasn’t that difficult, but most people just don’t it. It’s the mindset and the fact that you can still “get around” in the U.S and make a living without having citizenship. After reading your post, I decided to do some investigating of my own into the process. As far as what I’ve found in both looking it up online and talking to various immigrants who very recently went through the citizenship process it somewhat varies in what you have to do. I talked with someone who came from El Salvador, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. All said the process was difficult, but doable. All of them have families and work but they either went through a non-profit organization to help them, or had family who helped them. They told me that there are so much better off for going through the process and learning English because it has opened so many doors for them. None of them had to leave the country in order to obtain citizenship. Also the longer you wait to apply for citizenship once you come into this country, especially if you’re an illegal immigrant then the longer it takes. The system puts those who enter this country legally ahead of those who don’t. So we’re not alienating anyone. So you are right in a sense that it’s not an easy process but it is doable and teaching immigrants that’s impossible or to have them have that mindset is something we should be discouraging.
Police officers don’t have to give anyone a ride to the hospital. If you read my post you would see that an officer is by law required to help someone if they are at risk of injury or death. This officer used his judgment and while he knew the women was in labor he used reasonable cause where the facts surrounding him led to the belief that the women wasn’t in any danger of her dying or her baby dying. If that was the case, the officer would have done something. The baby and the woman were obviously fine. This is why he allowed them to get a ride. It wasn’t an emergency that required him to put them in his vehicle with lights and sirens take them to the hospital. The police don’t take the place of normal medical emergency services.
When I was reading this article, I was confused on why the Latino immigrants just go and get their licenses at the DMV? If they are legal immigrants who have become citizens of the United States, I don’t see why this would be an issue but if they were illegal immigrants that came to the United States then I think it would be a different issue to deal with. Being an immigrant who have become a citizen of the United States, I don’t see why they would be “driving in fear.” If they came into the United States illegally and is not a United States citizen, I don’t think that the government should allow them to drive legally because then they will have the same rights as citizens of the United States. I understand that they came here for a better life for them and their family but to be able to have a the same rights as a citizen, I don’t think I will agree with that. I’m not trying to say that I won’t allow minorities to drive cars but what I am sayings is that if they become citizens of the U.S. then it will be a different issue for me discuss about.
I dont agree with this bill potentially being put before the house and senate. As a law enforcement, I know that individuals who would much rather ride public transportation routes rather than spend ridiculous amounts of money on gas to get from point A to point B. On to my next point, I believe every citizen in this country needs a valid identification card. In law enforcement, cops id people all the time. As a CSO for an agency, i’ve seen numberous times when i’ve interpreted for traffic stops that the identification card is falsified and they have been lying to the dark blues. I went into spanish wanting to learn an ethnic background, not point out their flaws and racially profile them, but when one lies about the identify of themselves being false. Thats wrong. I will uphold the law one day, and I believe that if I am dispatched to a call, I have the right to identify that person.
I think if you are a legal immigrant you should be able to get a driver license no matter what race you are. I do believe that if you are an Illegal immigrant you should not be able to drive or get a driver’s license. It does take time to become a U.S. Citizen but it would benefit all if people go through the correct channels to become one. It took my biological son two and half years to come to United States and become a U.S. citizen because we went through the proper channels. It all paid off in the end. My son was born in the Philippines if anyone was wondering. We are the land of the free and made up of immigrants, but everyone should go through the process to become a U.S. citizen no matter what country you come from. If you drive illegally you should be arrest or fined no matter what race you are or what you do for a living. We do have these laws for a reason from state to federal; it doesn’t make sense to give a legal driving license to a person that is here illegally. We do have a good public transportation system in Minnesota.
I have mixed views on this bill. If an illegal immigrant wants to have the same rights as citizens and be a contributing member of society, it isn’t going to make any difference if they have a legal driver’s license or not. There are currently many illegal immigrants who are driving around without a license, filling gas tanks, shopping, etc., everything they would do with a license. It seems like not having a license doesn’t necessarily stop the person from doing every day activities as if they had a license. If the person were to go through the steps to become a legal citizen, it seems as though they would be able to be a more important member of society – being able to pay taxes to the states and federal government, being able to vote and being able to participate in a jury. It’s important that the court system have access to a wide variety of citizens, however, if the person isn’t a legal citizen, they aren’t able to participate in a jury selection. It seems as though if the illegal immigrant are interested in helping out in society, then they should consider become citizens rather than trying obtaining drivers licenses.
I certainly can understand the sentiment expressed by those that want to provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. For example in California, the arguments is that if you provide licenses to anyone who can show they pay taxes, regardless of their immigration status, one would be hitting two birds with one stone. It would allow them to learn the traffic laws, allow them to get insurance while driving on the road, and it would make our roads much safer. They argue that, When you have people driving without a license, it means they haven’t gone through the process to be certified that they are really good drivers, and most won’t have insurance either.
There those though that disagree, they say that providing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants who are already breaking the law anyway, is like rewarding illegal activity and thus encouraging others to break the law. Whatever school of thought one subscribes to, they both have valid points. I am personally caught in the middle, I have mixed feelings because both sides of the argument are so appealing and loaded with emotion, just like we saw in class.
After carefully listening to personal opinions in my ethics in criminal justice class, I have come to the conclusion that immigrants are going to drive regardless of having a license or not. Why not make it easier on everybody by allowing licenses regardless of immigration status. I know that it doesn’t look good as far as being too lenient with illegal immigrants, therefore making it seem as though illegal immigration is ok. But when you sit down and actually sort out the details giving illegal immigrants licenses would be the safest route to go. No one wants to drive in fear knowing they are unlicensed and therefore uninsured because the consequences can be heavy. When dealing with these sorts of situations you have to think beyond the population of immigrants but also about the safety of legal residents. It would be in the best interest to allow these immigrants to have licenses so they can be insured and drive safely and protected.
I agree with most that we should not issue illegal immigrants’ driver’s licenses because we have policies and procedures in place for people to become citizen legally. It certainly would not be fair if we allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a driver licenses. What would the individuals who went through the proper channels to obtain citizenship have to say about that? I think we would be sending the wrong message. I do however think we share some of the responsibility for the immigration problem. One of the problems here in the U.S. is that illegal immigrants want to come here and make a decent wage in comparison to their home countries. We have to examine what social class benefits from illegal immigrants. Ultimately, business owners and individuals at the upper end of the social class benefit from illegal immigrant because they can pay them lower wages and offer no benefits. Furthermore, our social class in constructed in a way in which the wealthy have the greatest influence over political power, cultural authority and our criminal justice system. If we stopped the employment of illegal immigrants they would not have reason to come here in the first place. As a country we have not enforced the policy of having to prove legal citizenship prior to employment. Do you think that immigration reform has become an issue now because of the dollars illegal immigrants are costing tax payers? It didn’t seem to be such an issue when the economy was booming.
washro
Illegal immigrants are in this country for multiple reasons. As long as immigrants follow the rules to become US citizens and become legal, I believe they should have the privilege of having a drivers license.
Thumbs down. Having a driver’s license is a privilege in the United States. People that come into this country illegally should not have the opportunity to have any privileges here. If they become legal citizens, I feel they have the right like anyone else for this privilege. It is almost like rewarding good behavior- if you follow the rules and become a legal citizen in our country, you have the privilege of receiving a driver’s license or other privileges such as owning property, attending public school or college, getting emergency benefits such as Medicaid, and to be protected by our laws.
My cousin had a child with an illegal immigrant. While she was pregnant, they both decided it would be best for him to go back to Mexico and try to become a legal citizen. It took him about 11 months to finally legally come back to the United States. He missed his first baby being born. He has been in the United States (legally) for about 4 years now and loves it. He talks about how hard it was for him to live illegally here- hard to get a job, hard to own a house, etc. They now have 3 beautiful children and he is extremely grateful for the chance to be a legal citizen in this country. He is now in college, has his driver’s license, and owns a house.
I think if we made it easier for illegal immigrants to have a driver’s license, they would have another positive reason to continue to live illegally here. My cousin’s boyfriend went back to Mexico and applied for citizenship here BECAUSE of all the great privileges that we have here- if you are a legal citizen.
Here is a update to this story I just found online. Bill passed, illegal immigrants can now drive in MN!!! http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2970466.shtml
I think that if they want to get their Driver’s License and want to be able to drive “safely” they should become a U.S citizen so that they can have the same driving privileges and rights as someone who is a U.S citizen. The reason why I say this is because the stories that are told in the article mostly stated that when they drive, they drive in “fear.” They do not want to drive in “fear” because they have a family to support and cannot afford to be caught and be in trouble. My only thought about this is that they should become citizens of the U.S so that they do not have to drive in “fear” and have any other complications that they would have to go through.
“This is a heart breaker to hear what those with no license go through in everyday life. For example, Maria who came to America to better her life and now has to drive with fear transporting her daughter who is sick to the hospital. Another issue was the Jose whom was attacked by gang at night while walking home from the bus stop. These are all serious issue that are heart touché especially if one is a police officer and had kids that one day will be sick and someone got to take them to the hospital. What would you do after stopping them for traffic violation? My opinion is that we need a safe environment and licensing those immigration will perhaps reduce the amount to crash in America and make a safer environment to teach your kids how to drive on the streets without thinking who is on the road because everyone will be following rules.”
I think if an immigrant is law-abiding and following the right measures to be in the United States, then they should be allowed to get a driver’s license. Just like an individual can receive a visa to be in the US, they should be able to legally drive. This country was built on immigration, and although there should definitely be some regulation, I do not feel all immigrants should be alienated for wanting the American dream, especially if they are doing things the right way.
The only part that I am opposed to is “without regard to immigration status.”
I fully agree that anyone who takes and passes the driver’s test should be allowed to have a driver’s license (I had an elderly relative who had a driver’s license who never drove a day in her life… she just showed up and got one the first day she was allowed to and kept getting it renewed), and race should not matter, immigration status, however should.
Not that immigrants should not be allowed licenses, but if you are here legally there is nothing stopping you from getting a driver’s license (as long as you pass the written and road tests). The fact that an immigrant who is not here legally takes their chances every time they drive is outrageous. They take their chances of getting caught every time they get a job, seek housing, or even apply for cable television (I do believe I had to give a SSN just to get cable hooked up to my house).
Driving is not a right, it is a privilege. One that everyone should be allowed to have as long as they keep their record clean. There are many individuals whose immigration status is not in question that take public transportation, work late hours, and have families that they want to spend time with.
I would love to think that the roads would be safer if all of the illegal immigrants were allowed to get licenses, training, and insurance, but let’s face it, if we really knew how many people were driving illegally right now it would be scary. Not just because of immigration status, but because of “other” factors that inhibit people from getting a license legally (DUI, suspensions, fines, etc.).