Correction on my part: Jon Brien isn’t a nativist for calling undocumented immigrants “illegals” – he’s committing a nativist act.
Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence issued a statement today in support of driver’s licenses for undocumented workers. Here it is in full:
“The Bishops of the United States have supported the passage of comprehensive immigration reform in our nation for many years. Until that finally happens, particular, ad-hoc issues such as providing drivers licenses for undocumented individuals will inevitably arise.
“I wish to express my support for the proposal to provide special, limited licenses for undocumented individuals in Rhode Island. It seems to be a rather practical approach that will obtain information about individuals who are already driving in our State. Additionally it will, in the long run, promote public safety. It is common sense legislation that will do much more good than harm.
“Our Holy Father Pope Francis has reminded us that he himself is the son of an immigrant family, and he has urged Americans to welcome immigrants into our midst. “I am certain that, as so often in the past, these immigrants will enrich America and its Church,” the Holy Father said.
“As the current proposal is debated, I encourage all parties to discuss the issue in a reasonable and constructive way, and to work together to promote the common good of our community.”
Tobin’s stance puts him at odds with his right-wing talk radio fan John DePetro, and at odds with the Republican Party, of which Tobin is a member.
Tobin’s letter was read at State Rep Anastasia Williams‘ press conference held today at the State House.
Community groups lead a march through Olneyville to remind Governor Gina Raimondo of her election year promise to sign an executive order giving undocumented residents of RI access to driver’s licenses. The groups carried the written promise with them as they marched, signed by the then candidate for governor when she met with them. The pledge originally said that as Governor she would issue the executive order within thirty days of being elected, but Raimondo crossed out thirty days and wrote in “one year.”
Community member Victoria Ruiz, who worked on the Community Safety Act, put the issue in terms of the criminalization of people of color. Not having a license, says Ruiz, is a path to criminalization, and is seen as “somehow not as bad or severe as other paths… but it’s all coming from the same system policing that wants to see all people of color criminalized…” Driver’s Licenses are a form of documentation, and a part of a “longer and bigger struggle for racial justice.”
The march was organized by the Comite en Accion, part of English for Action and a member of the We Are All Arizona coalition.About a dozen other states, including neighboring Connecticut, have a way for undocumented residents to obtained legal driver’s licenses.
The march started at the Price Rite on Valley St and continued through Olneyville Square.
Comité en Acción is leading the charge on getting driver’s licenses for undocumented workers in Rhode Island. Senate bill 391, which “would allow the department of motor vehicles to issue driving privilege licenses and driving privilege permits to applicants unable to establish lawful presence in the United States” has been held for further study, which is General Assembly language for “going nowhere.”
But the fight isn’t over yet.
I spoke to Sabine Adrian and Catarina Lorenzo, two leaders with Comité en Acción who are leading volunteers in a phone banking effort targeting Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, who has the power to bring the legislation to the floor for a vote in the Senate.
According to Sophia Wright, “States like Chicago, California, New Jersey and Connecticut, to name a few, have already taken the step towards greater equality by passing similar laws that provide licenses for all, regardless of immigration status.”
During the May 21 public testimony on the bill, said Adrian, those in favor of allowing licenses for all were in the majority. Arguments against the bill almost exclusively focused on what opponents refer to as illegal immigration, but these issues are not really related. Allowing licenses prevents workers from operating a motor vehicle without the required training and testing. iT becomes a safety issue, and a quality of life issue for workers and their families. The licenses allowed under this bill would not usable for the purpose of legal identification.
The Comité en Acción is not the only organization in the fight. They are part of a coalition, Todos Somos Arizona, that includes the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, English for Action, RI Jobs with Justice, RI Jobs with Justice, the American Friends Service Committee, Fuerza Laboral and others.
Those in favor of this legislation can sign this petition at MoveOn.
You could also call Senate President Paiva-Weed and let her know that you support this important bill.
