During his first budget proposal, Governor Evers suggested the state allow undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain driver’s licenses and identification cards. A move that, he says, will make the roads safer and strengthen the state’s economy.
“A driver’s license would A allow them to, or require them to, make sure that they do know how to drive and B that they have insurance,” said Governor Evers.
Immigration advocates say attention to the issue is much needed. “People have to get to work, people have to get to school, people have to get to medical appointments, people go to church and it’s very hard to do that,” said Pastor David Anderson, Co-Chair of the JONAH Immigration Task Force.
Pastor David Anderson, an immigration advocate, says the biggest challenge for undocumented immigrants in the Chippewa Valley is not being allowed a license to drive.
“People don’t realize how difficult it is if you don’t have a car in Eau Claire to get to work, even if there are bus routes a lot of people work after hours and so there are no buses for them,” said Pastor Anderson.
For immigrants in Wisconsin, getting a driver’s license wasn’t always the challenge it is now. “Prior to 2007 they were able to get driver’s licenses but the federal ID act of 2005 changed that and required a proof of citizenship,” said Anderson. He adds that this continues to cause constant fear for undocumented individuals.
“While we do not necessarily deport people for driver’s licenses violations-it could happen and so everybody is worried,” said Anderson.
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