Sen. Ciccone holds press conference on bill allowing DMV driving privileges to undocumented residents

STATE HOUSE – Sen. Frank A. Ciccone III held a press conference in the State House
rotunda on Feb. 24 concerning legislation he sponsored that would allow the
Department of Motor Vehicles (RIDMV) to issue driving privilege licenses and permits
to applicants unable to establish lawful presence in the United States. The
licenses and permit would not be valid for identification purposes.
«We need to ensure that all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, are
trained, tested and insured when driving on our roads,» said Senator Ciccone
(D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence). «This is a safety issue as well as an
economic issue. If the worst was to happen and an accident occurs involving an
undocumented person driving, our residents and businesses are protected far better
if this legislation is enacted as opposed to the current status quo.»
Currently, those unable to establish a lawful presence in the U.S. are unable to
produce the documentation, such as a Social Security number, that state law requires
for the issuing of a driver’s license. The new legislation would still require
certain documentation, such as a foreign birth certificate, or other legal documents
in order to issue the driving privilege license or permit. Also, neither the permit
nor license would be usable for federal or state identification purposes.
The cosponsors of the legislation are Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence),
Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence), Sen. Elizabeth
A. Crowley (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Sen. Gayle L. Goldin (D-Dist. 3,
Providence), Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence), Sen. Paul V.
Jabour (D-Dist. 5, Providence).
The legislation if passed would go into effect on July 1, 2017.