Undocumented Immigrant Drivers Targeted In REAL ID Bill
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota house committee approved a controversial bill Wednesday, creating a high-security driver's license called REAL ID.
But the hearing turned contentious when lawmakers included a provision that makes it harder for undocumented immigrants to get regular driver's licenses.
Minnesota is one of only three remaining states which has still not complied with the federal REAL ID law after 9/11, and it appears lawmakers are still having trouble with it.
The federal government will require all Americans to have high-security IDs for federally-regulated activities, like boarding airplanes -- but that's not all.
"You will be able to board a commercial aircraft with just that license. You will be able to get into government buildings. You will be able to get into government facilities," said Rep. Dennis Smith, (R) Maple Grove.
The bill will give Minnesotans the choice of getting a new REAL ID or keep their regular driver's license, but it makes it harder for undocumented immigrants to get a driver's license.
Jovita Morales told lawmakers she drove illegally to work and to bring her children to school.
"I started driving a car without a driver's license in 2007," Morales said.
And some lawmakers argued that allowing immigrants licenses makes drivers safer.
"We all pay a price when a certain segment of the population, our aspiring citizens, are not taking the driver education classes, are not obtaining licenses and are driving without insurance," said Rep. Frank Hornstein, (DFL) Minneapolis.
Despite the move to fast-track REAL ID, many lawmakers chafe at being forced by the federal government to do it.
"You're going to deny the American citizens the right to travel in a mode of transportation that they choose the most effective," said Sen. Warren Limmer, (R) chair of the Judicial Committee.
Minnesota's Driver and Vehicles Service department expects 1.3 million Minnesotans to apply for a REAL ID license when it becomes available. No one knows exactly when that will be, but we do know that the federal government will require it to get on an airplane starting Jan. 20, 2018.