Minnesota lawmakers vote to give illegal immigrants driver's licenses

[Valin]

Washington Examiner

Daniel Jativa

April 06, 2019

Minnesota lawmakers approved a measure that would allow illegal immigrants in the state to obtain a driver's license.

The bill, which passed the Democratic-controlled state House by 74-52 largely along party lines, represents a massive political victory for state Democrats who have been pushing for expanding basic rights for illegal immigrants.

“Immigrants, whether they are documented or undocumented, are Minnesotans. They are part of the fabric of our communities,” said Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “It is time that we helped take away this shadow of not having a driver’s license.”

(Snip)

GOP state Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen said the bill would “undermine our current values.”

“Minnesota shouldn’t be in the business of incentivizing illegal behavior, and by allowing illegal and undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses, that’s exactly what our state would be doing,” he said.

The bill is not expected to clear the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate. Newly elected Gov. Tim Walz, who previously served as a representative in the U.S. House, has not indicated whether he would sign the bill.