Colorado’s Democratic governor has signed into law bipartisan legislation that will expand access to driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrant residents in the state. While the state has already issued more than 60,000 licenses to undocumented residents, only three offices processed first-time driver’s license applications, forcing some immigrants to wait months for an appointment. Following Gov. Jared Polis’ signature, that number will now expand to 10.
Making sure all drivers are licensed and insured will make roads safer for all, but this expansion has the power to go beyond that. Immigrants have faced deportation for driving without a license, meaning this bill will help keep families together. “You can work and take your kids to the park without fear,” one resident, who chose to not reveal her name out of concerns for personal safety, told the Colorado Independent.
Efforts to win driver’s licenses for undocumented residents have gained momentum in a number of other states following Democratic gains, including Wisconsin, New Jersey, and New York. In the latter, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul penned an op-ed supporting access to licenses, calling it “common sense.” And it is. “Since 2007,” she wrote, “more than a dozen other states have extended driver's licenses to the undocumented—and it has been a great success story."
"The fact is that in those states, roads are safer, hit-and-runs are down, the number of uninsured drivers dropped dramatically, insurance premiums got cheaper, and immigrant communities contributed greatly to the economy," she continues. "My opinion, like those of many others, has evolved, based on the fact that driver's licenses for New York will make us a safer state for all New Yorkers.” Let’s keep it going: Click here to take a moment to thank Colorado for its pro-immigrant action.