{"id":12816,"date":"2023-08-03T23:56:41","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T23:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latinosreadytovote.org\/?p=12816"},"modified":"2023-08-10T17:20:29","modified_gmt":"2023-08-10T17:20:29","slug":"licenses-for-undocumented-workers-is-good-public-policy-for-texas-roads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinosreadytovote.org\/?p=12816","title":{"rendered":"Licenses For Undocumented Workers Is Good Public Policy for Texas Roads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Linda Vega & Alex Gonzalez<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update: In 2015<\/a>, Ten states and the District of Columbia allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver\u2019s licenses. here new bill<\/a> by<\/em> State Rep. Byron Cook.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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There is new Bill ( SB 1729<\/strong>) in the Texas Legislature to allow undocumented workers in the state to obtain driver licenses. As a Matter of Public Policy, the bill gives licenses to those who, with or without a license, must drive to work. Texas has one of the largest  rural areas in nation, and Latinos immigrants–legal and undocumented–are the largest groups in construction, agriculture and restaurants. Therefore, the bill brings the much needed safety to Texas roads by mandating driving courses and insurance; and therefore is good public policy that should be embraced by Republicans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a matter of Politics, two months ago we personally met with two Latino legislators and sent the bill to them to encourage them to introduce it. As matter of politics, we argued that it was important for the only three Latino Republicans to show they wanted to tackle issues important to Latino community; and therefore, the bill must be introduced by Latino GOP to revamp the ill-perceived image of Republicans within Latino immigrant communities, and with the Spanish-Speaking Media. The GOP has introduced good education policies that benefits Latinos but this gets lost in media war for attention and Latino Republican never talk about these positive education bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the problem with Latinos was more of an image or PR problem.  Moreover the contentious issue of redistricting will be on the agenda again this session; so Republicans needed to have some legislation on record to counter any attacks by Democrats who tend to argue that the GOP always antagonize Latino communities. We argue that An immigrant-friendly bill introduce by a Latino Republican would soften any blow by the Democrat and would be good way to repair the GOP image and simultaneously give room the Latino Republican to promote the other Republican bills within the Hispanic community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, the bill was introduced by a Democrat and now possibly by \u201cAnglo\u201d Republicans, is now being considered, even by Gov. Perry, and the Democrats will get all the credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the text of the Draft we share with the Latino Republican Legislators, which includes the recommendations needed to comply with the REAL ID Legislation used in other state like Washington, Utah, New Mexico and now Illinois.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Non-Alien Driving Permit (NADP) Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas is large state with several rural counties who are in need of laborers many of whom have ineffective transportation, eg. Public transportation.  Therefore, a private automobile is the only means of transportation for workers, both legal and without work authorization, to get to their worksite. However, an untrained driver without work authorization cannot be required to take driving education courses, nor can they be certified to operate a motor vehicle since by cannot provide a Security Number or an Alien Registration card that would allow them to enroll in such courses.  The Non-Alien Driving Permit or the NADP will offer a working Permit, not a driving license, to those  without  an \u201calien\u201d status and who are not able to apply for a regular driver\u2019s license.  The NADP will give them the opportunity to submit to state DPS driving regulations, background check, and complete their training manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The requirements For The NADP are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n