Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens Likely To Pass In Virginia
By Tanner Bonovitch | FAIR Take | January 2020
Virginia is on the brink of passing driver’s licenses for illegal aliens. This is not a new proposal in the Old Dominion, as both Republicans and Democrats have filed legislation in previous years, but then it was rejected in committee. However, now that Democrats control the House of Delegates, Senate and governorship, it is expected to see floor votes in both chambers and be signed into law.
House of Delegates
Delegate Kathy Tran (D-Springfield) has put forward language that would allow for any illegal alien to receive a driver’s license. According to House Bill (HB) 1211:
- Citizenship or legal presence would no longer be required to obtain a driver’s license;
- Social Security Number (SSN) or even an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) would not be required. Instead the applicant could certify that they have not been issued one;
- Licenses would look identical to a current Virginia driver’s license, but would be marked “Federal Limits Apply.”
Delegate Robert Bloxom (R-Accomack) also put forward legislation that would allow illegal aliens to receive a “driver privilege card.” Under HB 565:
- Citizenship or legal presence would no longer be required to obtain a driver’s license;
- An applicant would have to provide proof of income and tax withholding from a Virginia employer; and
- Licenses would look different from current Virginia driver’s licenses, and would include the phrase “NOT VALID IDENTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL VOTING, OR PUBLIC BENEFIT PURPOSES.”
At a hearing before the House Transportation Committee, Del. Bloxom was asked by Del. Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper) if Bloxom’s bill would require proof of legal status or legal presence in the United States, and responded, “[t]his is for illegals. That are working here though. They are working; they’re living in our community every day. They work at our jobs. They keep the farms going. They just do not have the ability to drive.” This statement ignores that under federal law, illegal aliens are not authorized to work in the United States, and to “induce” or “encourage” them to do so is a federal crime.
Delegate Tran claimed that providing illegal aliens with driver’s licenses would lower accidents. “Our roads are also less safe because [the General Assembly] has not taken action. Data from states that have implemented driving privileges for immigrants, regardless of their status show that driving incidents decrease.” Delegate Tran did not cite any source for these assertions.
According to Angel Father Don Rosenberg, President of Advocates for Victims of Illegal Alien Crime, “[t]he urban myth that licensing will make the roads safer is brought up every time one of these bills is introduced but no proponents ever introduce any statistics to back up that claim because none exists.”
FAIR staff also submitted written testimony opposing the bills.
By a vote of 13 to 9, the House Transportation Committee passed HB 1211 and referred it to the Appropriations Committee, while HB 565 was laid on the table, meaning it was effectively killed.
Senate
On January 30, at a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon) and Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Alexandria) presented companion bills to HB 565 and 1211, namely Senate Bills (SB) 34 and 643 respectively.
During the hearing, Sen. Bill DeSteph (R-Virginia beach) raised concerns regarding the process by which an illegal alien would be able to apply and receive a driver’s licenses without having a SSN or ITIN.
In response, Sen. Surovell stated, “under Senator Boysko’s bill there is no requirement to show you paid taxes. You are not required to show you are paying taxes to get a Virginia driver’s license.”
Additionally, Sen. DeSteph questioned the lack of support for the bills from Virginia police and public safety agencies.
The committee voted on party lines to pass both bills and to refer them to the Senate Finance and Appropriations committee.
House Bill 1211, Senate Bill 643, and Senate Bill 34 are expected to be discussed in committee next week. You can find committee meetings and times at https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/
Click here to read Angel Father Donald Rosenberg’s testimony