The Coalition for Safer Rhodes is organizing a march that aims to send a clear message to the General Assembly — that they must act to ensure that our roads and communities are safe by ensuring that all immigrants, regardless of their immigration status, are able to earn a driver’s license.
In order to send a loud and clear message before the next legislative session, the Coalition has organized a march that will take place on Sunday, September 25th. The March will begin at Jenks Park in Central Falls at 11am, will go past the State House, and end at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Providence. At the end of the march, there will be a cultural festival to celebrate the contributions of immigrant communities to the State of Rhode Island.
The Coalition has been advocating for the passage of legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to earn driver’s license in the State of Rhode Island. We believe the impact of this legislation will improve the quality of life and overall safety of our communities, from higher rates of insured and licensed drivers, to greater cooperation between police and the immigrant communities they serve.
From a Coalition for Safer Rhodes Press Release
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On Sunday, just days after celebrating Rhode Island’s independence, community members, students and undocumented workers part of the Coalition for Safer Rhodes went to the Mother’s Day service at Speaker Nicholas Mattiello’s Immaculate Conception Parish to reiterate the support of Bishop Tobin regarding House Bill 7610. The legislation would allow undocumented workers to obtain a limited driver’s license.
“Our Holy Father reminds us that he himself is the son of a immigrant family, and he has urged American’s to welcome immigrants into our midst.” –Bishop Tobin
Undocumented labor, faith and the student community called on parishioners of the parish and Speaker Mattiello to recognize the need for limited licenses for the undocumented community, and the need for the General Assembly to pass H7610. Flowers were delivered to all parishioners who are mothers as a sign of solidarity among every Rhode Island family, and as a wish that every family live in security and freedom.
From an RI Jobs with Justice press release
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Two competing bills were heard in the House Judiciary Committee meeting Tuesday evening in a hearing that lasted well over 6 hours and had over 4 dozen people testifying. House bill 7610, submitted by Representative Anastasia Williams, would grant driving privilege license to undocumented immigrants. House Bill 7859, introduced by Representative Arthur Corvese, would make issuing such licenses illegal. Over 200 advocates for licenses filled the main rotunda with reverberating chants during the hearing, which was often emotional and contentious.
This became evident immediately as Reps Williams and Corvese verbally sparred even before presenting their bills, which were heard simultaneously. Committee Chair Cale Keable worked hard to keep the peace, and surprisingly did not put a cap on speaking times, allowing people to speak until they were done.
Both bills have been held for further study, and the ultimate fate of the bills is in doubt. Governor Gina Raimondo has indicated that she wants a bill allowing driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants to be passed and that she is ready to sign such a bill. She made a campaign promise to issue an executive order granting such licenses within her first year in office, a promise she has broken in favor of a legislative solution.
Below is all the testimony presented during the hearing last night, each speaker given a separate video. For the purposes of time it is impossible for me to do justice to all the wonderful testimony given in support of allowing undocumented immigrants driver’s licenses, just as it is impossible for me to get into some of the racism and xenophobia presented by the other side. Hopefully, the occasional notes I’ve provided below can point people towards some of the testimony I found the most interesting.
Rep Doreen Costa, vice-chair of the House Judiciary Committee, told Corvese that he had presented a “great bill.”
Rep Joseph Almeida took Corvese to task for using the term “sanctuary city” in reference to Providence. Corvese responded that, “I do not countenance political correctness,” said Corvese, “and I never have.”
Mayors Jorge Elorza of Providence and James Diossa of Central Falls both spoke in favor of licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Rep Robert Nardolillo, who quoted FAIR, (Federation for American Immigration Reform) in his Providence Journal op-ed, did not exactly do himself any favors by testifying. FAIR has been identified by the Southern Poverty Law Foundation as a hate group. At one point Nardolillo seemed to imply that immigrants were more likely to drive without insurance that non-immigrants. Here’s a quote from the founder of FAIR for Nardolillo and others to ponder:
“As Whites see their power and control over their lives declining, will they simply go quietly into the night? Or will there be an explosion?”
— John Tanton, founder of FAIR
Terry Gorman, of RIILE, lists FAIR on its links page. They also list the Minuteman Project and American Border Patrol, also listed as “extremist nativist groups” by the SPLC. I don’t know how RIILE avoids being on the SPLC hate group list.
