R.I. Senate committee kills drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants

PROVIDENCE -- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted down a bill Thursday to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. The vote was 6 to 4.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Frank Ciccone, D-Providence, was supported by Gov. Gina Raimondo and former Gov. Lincoln Chafee, the Rhode Island state police, and the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The bill drew almost 30 people to the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday night, despite the fact that the proposal has gone nowhere for at least five years.

Ciccone argued that licenses would only be available to residents who paid taxes in Rhode Island. The licenses cannot be used to vote. Felons are prohibited from getting a license.

Read more: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170615/ri-senate-committee-kills-drivers-licenses-for-undocumented-immigrants