81,000 illegal immigrants to qualify for Minnesota’s ‘Driver’s License for All’ soon.

Exciting News: Minnesota to ⁤Grant Driver’s ‍Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants!

Starting next month, Minnesota will begin granting driver’s licenses⁢ to undocumented immigrants, and the best part is that their information will be kept confidential from immigration authorities.

According to the Minnesota Department of Public‍ Safety (DPS) website, the new law called “Driver’s License for All ‌(DL4All)” will allow eligible Minnesotans to obtain a standard Class D instruction permit, driver’s ‌license, or identification card without having to prove⁤ legal presence in the United States. The DL4All program will officially launch on October 1.

It is estimated that around 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota will be eligible for driver’s licenses under this ​program.

During a recent news ⁣conference, Jody-Kay Peterson,​ director of the Minnesota ‍DPS’s Driver Services Program, addressed concerns about‍ the ⁢risk of deportation for undocumented immigrants applying for a driver’s license under DL4All.

Ms. Peterson assured everyone that the department will not share applicants’ personal information with immigration ‌officials, as reported by The Associated Press.

DL4All was signed into law by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, in March. Previously, Minnesota required license applicants to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the⁤ United States.

The previous law, enacted in 2003, aimed to prevent individuals​ without legal status from obtaining a driver’s license due to security concerns following the 9/11 attacks. However, supporters ⁣of DL4All argue that the program ⁣will enhance road safety through better‍ driver vetting.

Opponents, mainly Republicans, have expressed ⁤concerns that granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants could potentially encourage ⁤illegal immigration, enable ⁣terrorists to exploit the system, ⁤and contribute to voter fraud.

State Senator Glenn Gruenhagen, a Republican, raised a valid question‍ during the Minnesota Senate discussions, asking how the bill prevents terrorists ⁣from obtaining a driver’s license and ​using ‍it for malicious purposes.

To obtain a Class D license, applicants must be 21 years or older and pass written, driving, and vision tests. Undocumented⁤ immigrants may provide foreign passports, foreign birth certificates, foreign​ adoption certificates,‍ and ‌certain immigration filing and ‍approval notices as​ proof of‌ identity.​ The DPS is not allowed to inquire about an applicant’s citizenship or immigration status.

While the DPS is prohibited from sharing application information with agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs‌ Enforcement (ICE),​ there is one exception: if a court order is issued.

According to the National Conference of‌ State Legislatures,​ 18 other states and the District of Columbia already provide driver’s licenses to residents regardless of immigration ​status. These states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois,⁤ Maryland,⁤ Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah,⁣ Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Issuing driver’s‌ licenses to undocumented immigrants is a crucial advocacy goal ​for those supporting immigrant causes. This is because driving without a license is a criminal offense that can lead to ICE custody for undocumented individuals.