Opinion/Gonzalez and Horwitz: It's time to allow drivers' licenses for all immigrants
Deborah S. Gonzalez is a professor of clinical law and director of the Roger Williams University Immigration Clinic. Andrew Horwitz is assistant dean for experiential education and director of the Roger Williams University Criminal Defense Clinic.
Once again, the General Assembly is contemplating giving driving privileges to the members of our state's immigrant population who do not have lawful status. We are hopeful that the time has finally come for this legislation to become law, and dare we say it is about time.
Studies were conducted in Rhode Island and in other states that substantiate the idea that granting driving privileges to the immigrant population is sound policy. Allowing the immigrant population in Rhode Island to obtain driving privileges will make our roads safer. It ensures that the cars are insured; it provides more revenue for the state; and it is a better alternative than having people drive without the proper training and documentation.
Connecticut already gives driving privileges to its immigrant community, and this year the Massachusetts Senate has approved a bill to do the same.
Granting driving privileges to the immigrant population ensures that all those seeking driving privileges have taken the required driving tests and are competent to understand all traffic signs and laws, thereby reducing the number of traffic accidents. In fact, studies have shown that states that have granted the immigrant population driving privileges saw a reduction in traffic accidents.
Rhode Island has consistently had high numbers of uninsured motorists. In both New Mexico and Utah, studies showed that after they began granting driving privileges to their immigrant population, they saw a decrease in uninsured motorists. In contrast, during the same period, Rhode Island saw an increase in the number of uninsured motorists of approximately 6%.
The insurance industry favors granting driving privileges to the Rhode Island immigrant population. As one industry representative testified recently: “People who go out to get a driving privilege card will go one step further and get the required insurance. We think it's a win-win.” If the insurance companies believe that the immigrant population will go the extra step to get insurance, then our General Assembly should believe so, too.
Another win-win is the revenue that driving privileges will give to the state. All of those in Rhode Island who possess a drivers' licenses are well aware of the costs of taking the driving tests and applying for the license. According to the Migration Policy Institute, there are approximately 24,000 undocumented immigrants living in Rhode Island. Depending on the population’s ability to comply with the requirements of the new legislation, the granting of driving privileges to our immigrant population has the potential to generate upwards of $800,000 within the first three years of granting driving privileges.
The bill before the General Assembly requires tax filing in the state as proof of residence. Additionally, the REAL ID Act allows all states to issue drivers' privileges that are not REAL ID compliant for people who cannot prove citizenship, while also maintaining the state’s compliance with the act.
If the bill does not pass now, then when? Let’s do what is right, for the benefit of all Rhode Island's residents.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Opinion/Gonzalez and Horwitz: It's time to allow drivers' licenses for all immigrants
