The Womxn Project is a statewide organization focused on leveraging the power of art, activism, advocacy and education to advance the principles of reproductive justice, which demands that we all have the right to determine when and how we build our relationships, families and futures and that we have the ability to live and raise our children with dignity.
We are proud to submit testimony in support of S 2006, which creates a driver’s license option for undocumented people in our state. By providing for people to be able to get a license we not only make our roads safer, but provide security and dignity for individuals. When a person does not have a license a simple trip to the grocery store or to drop their child off at school can feel like a terrible risk. We are all safer when every driver on the road is trained, tested, licensed, and insured.
This legislation makes sense. It means that people who need to drive to work, school, a grocery store or worship service can do so without fear of being stopped and not having a license resulting in the cost and harm of incarceration. It means that people can go through the training and pass a test, so that they are prepared to follow the traffic rules. This will make immigrants and their families safer and help make our roads safer. That’s why law enforcement throughout the country have spoken out in favor of policies to support undocumented people in obtaining licenses.
With a license, people are able to get insured. We don’t think of people’s rights or support for immigrants in terms of dollars and cents, but it is certainly worth noting that those of us with auto insurance subsidize those who are uninsured. The ability to get a license and be insured would save money in policy payments for individuals and is also likely to result in overall savings. In these tough economic times, this would make a big difference.
We should be doing more to help support immigrant families. This is a good start. Together we can make it clear that Rhode Island is a place where we welcome all and work to ensure that every person and every family is treated with respect and compassion. This bill is one part of meeting that goal. We urge you to vote yes on S2006. Thank you.
Contact: Emma Guthier, [email protected], 508-648-8180