Measure to grant drivers’ cards to illegal residents loses

MIdreamer · 11-05-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6 and AP) –Residents living in Oregon illegally will not be eligible for drivers’ cards.

It is the first time that voters in any state weighed in on the driver’s license issue.

The law would have allowed immigrants and others to apply for drivers’ cards that could not have been used to vote, board a plane, get benefits or buy firearms.

KOIN 6 political analyst Jim Moore said the fate of Measure 88 represents a law, passed in the legislature, being killed by voters.

The measure was agreed upon by most politicians in the Legislature: Democrats and Republicans from rural-agricultural, suburban, and urban areas all supported it. But, even in heavily Democratic Multnomah County, it failed two-to-one.

More than $600,000 was invested in the “yes” side, while under $100,000 was invested in the “no” side.

WHAT MEASURE 88 SAYS:

The measure asks voters to accept or reject a state law signed by Gov. John Kitzhaber last year that would grant four-year licenses to Oregonians who can’t prove legal status in the United States. To qualify for the driver’s card, a person would have to present a valid foreign passport or consular document and proof of state residency.

WHAT PROPONENTS SAY:

Proponents say issuing the licenses would increase safety by prompting more people to learn the rules of the road and get insurance. “The law never considered it being anything other than for driving privileges,” said Jeff Stone, executive director of the Oregon Association of Nurseries and a member of the coalition to pass the measure. As for TSA rules, Stone said: “All we can control is the Oregon law.”

WHAT OPPONENTS SAY:

Opponents say the driver’s cards would reward illegal behavior and facilitate crime. “In essence, a driver card would become acceptable just like a regular Oregon driver license,” Oregonians for Immigration Reform said in a statement. “With the threat of international terrorism, the spread of ebola and other third-world diseases, it’s vital to take all possible precautions in the control of immigration.” But the group’s founder Jim Ludwick concedes: “We don’t know the fine points of the TSA regulations.”

WHAT STATE OFFICIALS SAY:

“The Oregon Supreme Court, after hearing from proponents and opponents, certified that the ballot summary accurately reflected the text of the measure,” said Tony Green, a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office. Green said enforceability of a state statute gets addressed after a measure passes.

AIR TRAVEL:

If Measure 88 passes, travelers would be able to use driver’s cards to get onto an airplane — but they could board anyway with a foreign passport.

A brief history of Measure 88

The measure, which asks Oregonians to reaffirm the law passed by the legislature last May, collected 58,291 valid signatures — just over the required amount to put it on the ballot.

Oregon denied giving the licenses five years ago, but reversed course last year as it joined seven states in granting the privilege. Gov. John Kitzhaber signed the law at a May Day rally at the state Capitol in front of a cheering crowd of 2,000 supporters.

The law was on track to granting the first licences to illegal immigrants in January, until it was put on the November ballot. In opposition to the driver’s cards stand 28 of Oregon’s 36 elected sheriffs and several Republican politicians.

Oregon holds the record for the most statewide initiatives in the nation.

If a solid blue and liberal leaning state don't support DL for undocumented, I don't know who else will.

2Face · 11-05-2014, 08:09 PM

State of Connecticut has already passed this measure. DL's will be issued starting Jan 1, 2015

g33k · 11-07-2014, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Face

State of Connecticut has already passed this measure. DL's will be issued starting Jan 1, 2015

Same with California...also takes effect on January 1, 2015.

Pianoswithoutfaith · 11-07-2014, 08:32 PM

The situation with this is really messed up. This bill was originally signed into law by the governor, but somebody from out of state began financially supporting this group against it into collecting signatures to stop this.
And after obtaining the required signatures, it went to the ballot vote.

2Face · 11-08-2014, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g33k

Same with California...also takes effect on January 1, 2015.

I read somewhere that the DLs will be special though with some type of restrictions that they can used only for driving purposes and nothing else. we will find out. Something is better than nothing.

g33k · 11-08-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Face

I read somewhere that the DLs will be special though with some type of restrictions that they can used only for driving purposes and nothing else. we will find out. Something is better than nothing.

They can't be used for federal purposes. It is mainly following the Real ID Act. That's why licenses for DACA beneficiaries are limited to the expiration of their EAD, legal presence.

2Face · 11-08-2014, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g33k

They can't be used for federal purposes. It is mainly following the Real ID Act. That's why licenses for DACA beneficiaries are limited to the expiration of their EAD, legal presence.

Well when it comes to the expiration dates, my CT DL which was issued in 2013 is expiring on 2018 so it doesn't follow the dates of legal presence. I'm hoping the DL's will not be different than the one I or other DACA beneficiaries have. At the present, my DL just says "Not Valid for Federal ID purposes" which is completely okay but I remember reading somewhere that the new DL's to other undocumented will be different in what they say on the face. I hope I'm wrong.

g33k · 11-08-2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Face

Well when it comes to the expiration dates, my CT DL which was issued in 2013 is expiring on 2018 so it doesn't follow the dates of legal presence. I'm hoping the DL's will not be different than the one I or other DACA beneficiaries have. At the present, my DL just says "Not Valid for Federal ID purposes" which is completely okay but I remember reading somewhere that the new DL's to other undocumented will be different in what they say on the face. I hope I'm wrong.

...Of course there are always errors and lack of communications/ lack of trainning of DMV employees. My ID doesn't expire until 2020. They did however caught on to my license. It expires same day as EAD. My ID and license doesn't say anything different from any USC ID or license holder.

g33k · 11-08-2014, 01:28 PM

But yes, the licenses for those without legal presence will be marked.

teufel kussen · 11-09-2014, 04:44 PM

Here's what this article has said

"The license looks no different from other California driver’s licenses but features two notable exceptions: The front includes the phrase “FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY,” and the back states: “This card is not acceptable for official federal purposes. This license is issued only as a license to drive a motor vehicle. It does not establish eligibility for employment, voter registration, or public benefits.”

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/11/07/...#storylink=cpy

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Measure to grant drivers’ cards to illegal residents loses