RI Driver's Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants Up For Hearing

PROVIDENCE — Should people who are not U.S. citizens and in the country illegally be allowed to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license or a government ID that lets them buy a drink at the bar?

Two Providence County lawmakers say "yes," and their proposed legislation will be before the state Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

A measure sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence) would create an alternative ID driver’s license available to undocumented immigrants. A companion bill by Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket) would allow the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue state ID cards to persons unable to establish lawful presence in the U.S. upon proof of residency and tax ID number.

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Ciccone's measure would amend existing law to create an alternative driver's license that would apply to people who can not prove they are in the U.S. lawfully. The license would have a different color scheme, could not be used as a valid ID for voting, and could not be used for official federal purposes. Applicants would still have to prove their identity, prove they are a Rhode Island resident, and in other respects qualify for the privilege of operating a motor vehicle.

The bill stipulates that application materials are not public records. It bans the RMV and other government entities, including police, from sharing license information with federal immigration authorities. "An alternative ID driving license or permit shall not be used as evidence of the holder's citizenship or immigration status," the proposed statute reads.

Cano's measure would amend existing law around the sale and service of alcohol. People who are not yet 21 can not purchase alcohol at a store, bar, or restaurant in Rhode Island. The bill would create a process where people of lawful age, regardless of their immigration status, would be able to obtain a government ID .

The committee will meet virtually at 3:30 p.m. via WebEx for to conduct hearings on the vehicle bills. They also plan to vote on legislation that would ban rental housing discrimination based upon source of income.

The meeting will be streamed live by Capitol Television at http://www.rilegislature.gov/CapTV/Pages/default.aspx.