Legislators in Pennsylvania are pushing for a new bill that would allow undocumented immigrants the opportunity to obtain a driver's license.
The bill reads in part, "In today’s fast paced world, a driver’s license is essential to earn a living, travel safely, and live a dignified existence. Unfortunately, countless undocumented persons are unable to apply for a driver’s license in Pennsylvania because they do not have the required Social Security Number. As a result, they contribute to our economy without the equal protections and basic rights that the rest of us enjoy, such as the ability to drive safely to work, school, and businesses.”
The bill goes on to explain that a social security number will no longer be required for individuals seeking to obtain a driver's license. Instead, applicants would simply need to provide a secure document of identification. The identification can be a valid foreign passport, or a certified record of birth, marriage, divorce, or adoption. Other secure types of identification would be accepted as well. The change would apply to individuals who are seeking either a learner's permit or a driver's license.
While a majority of the supporters of the bill are Democrats, the bill has two Republican co-sponsors, Rep. Jonathan Hershey and Rep. Christopher Quinn.
Supporters of the bill explain that safety on the roads would improve if undocumented individuals were granted this privilege. A driving exam is required as part of obtaining a license, and undocumented individuals would have an opportunity to gain an understanding of safe driving skills. Other Democrats, including Rep. Danilo Burgos, argue that the bill would be a way to generate additional revenue for the state.
Burgos explains, "From an economic perspective, the revenue generated from application costs to [the Department of Transportation] and purchases on car insurance policies would greatly benefit Pennsylvania’s economy -- a much-needed relief as our economy struggles to gain stability during this crisis."
The bill has seen its fair share of critics as well, especially from conservatives who opposed giving undocumented immigrants privileges enjoyed by American citizens. One critic, Don Rosenberg, argues that bills such as the one proposed by the Democrats would lead to unsafe roads. Rosenberg's son was 25 years old when he was struck and killed by an illegal immigrant in November 2010.
Rosenberg shared with Fox News, "Allowing illegal aliens to get a driver’s license is not only bad policy but also dangerous." Rosenberg goes on to say, "As a group, illegal aliens are terrible drivers. Years of data show they are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision, five times more likely to drive drunk, and 10 times more likely to hit-and-run." Rosenberg is the president of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime.
Similar bills have gained traction across the United States over the past decade. California, New York, and New Jersey are just three of 16 states along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that have similar laws in place. These laws are often referred to as “green light laws.”
