Woonsocket Radio News Room

Senate passes Ciccone’s bill which grants driving privileges to undocumented residents

 

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Frank A. Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, North Providence) which allows the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue driving privileges to undocumented residents in the state.

“We need to ensure that all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, are trained, tested and insured when driving on our roads,” said Senator Ciccone. “This is a safety issue as well as an economic issue.  If the worst was to happen and an accident occurs involving an undocumented person driving, our residents and businesses are protected far better if this legislation is enacted as opposed to the current status quo.”

The legislation (2022-S 2006Aaa) states that in order to apply for the driving privilege card or permit, an applicant must have verification from the tax administrator that the applicant either has filed a personal income tax return as a resident with this state for the tax year preceding the date of application or has been claimed as a dependent on a personal income tax return by an individual who has filed a personal income tax return as a resident with this state for the tax year preceding the date of application.  The applicant must also present two primary proof of identity documents, or one primary proof of identity document and one secondary proof of identity document, and two proof of residency documents.  The applicant must also be in compliance with insurance requirements.

Currently, those unable to establish a lawful presence in the United States are unable to produce the documentation, such as a Social Security number, that state law requires for the issuing of a driver’s license.  Also, neither the permit nor card would be usable for federal or state identification or voting purposes.

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

 

The Justice Department claims there's no basis for an investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the announcement Tuesday. Instead the department is reportedly looking to investigate Good's widow, a move that's led to the resignation of six federal prosecutors.        Human rights activists say over 25-hundred people have been killed by Iranian authorities in the crackdown against the massive protests sweeping the country. The head of Iran's judiciary has indicated that there will be fast trials and executions for protesters being detained despite warnings from President Trump.        President Trump says cities that provide sanctuary to illegal immigrants will lose federal funding on February 1st. Trump said Tuesday that starting in February his administration will not make payments to sanctuary cities, claiming they "protect criminals at the expense of American citizens."        The South Carolina measles outbreak is spreading. State health officials say over 120 new cases have been reported since last Friday, with the majority in Spartanburg County. The contagious disease is being reported across the U.S., which last year recorded its highest number of measles cases since 1992.        Netflix is preparing a revised all-cash offer for Warner Brothers Discovery's streaming and studio business. Netflix had already offered a deal worth 83-billion dollars in cash and stock for the historic company. Paramount Skydance had attempted a hostile takeover of Warner Brothers Discovery's entire business.        Zoe Saldana [[ sal-dan-ya ]] is now the highest-grossing actor of all time at the box office. Saldana's role in the recently released "Avatar: Fire and Ash" has put the 47-year-old's box office haul at more than 15-point-four billion dollars. The Oscar-winning actress takes the top spot from fellow Marvel star Scarlett Johansson.       

Old News Archives