Virginia lawmakers passed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to obtain driver privilege cards but not driver’s licenses.
The Virginia House of Delegates and the state Senate considered two related bills in 2020: one from the House that would allow full-fledged driver’s licenses and one from the state Senate that would grant driver privilege cards.
“I cannot tell you all how important this is for about 300,000 people living in Virginia,” said state Sen. Scott Surovell, a Democrat who brought the bill to the state Senate. “This bill is going to change people’s lives.”
The Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly voted over the weekend to pass his bill.
Today the Senate approved the final version of @JenniferBoysko, @KathyKLTran and my bill to give driving privileges to Virginians without requiring legal presence. This legislation will change lives for hundreds of thousands of our friends and neighbors. @CASAforall pic.twitter.com/tTM0hFldKo
— Scott Surovell (@ssurovell) March 7, 2020
Driver privilege cards differ from driver’s licenses because they must be renewed on an annual basis, while typical licenses are valid for years at a time. Privilege cards also explicitly state they may not be used to vote or receive benefits from the government.
“The ability to drive and live your daily life and be able to go work, take your kids to school … without additional stress, worry, and fear will be tremendously life-changing,” Virginia Del. Kathy Tran, another Democrat, said.
Republicans in the state weighed in on the passage too, sharing their criticism.
“Instead of working on behalf of their constituents, Democrats chose to work on behalf of illegal immigrants,” John March, a spokesman for the Virginia GOP, said. “I’m not sure that the farmer without access to broadband or the single mother struggling to make ends meet will be too happy about this, but who knows. Democrats have shown where their priorities are, and they aren’t with Virginians.”
Hundreds of people in Virginia marched in Charlottesville before lawmakers voted, advocating that all people, regardless of legal status, be granted the ability to drive.
“Not being able to drive is obviously a burden. They cannot get to work, they cannot buy produce, they cannot go places,” Harrisonburg, Virginia, attorney Eduardo Justo said.
It is unclear if Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam will sign the bill.
