PROVIDENCE – The General Assembly passed legislation Friday that would continue to protect undocumented immigrants that came to the United States as minors.
The legislation will continue the status quo relating to operator’s and chauffeur’s licenses to approved recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Shelby Maldonado, D-Central Falls, and Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey, D-Warwick.
“DACA recipients have made meaningful contributions to the state’s economy, forming businesses and participating in education,” McCaffrey said in a statement. “This legislation will guarantee that state law regarding driver’s licenses and work authorization will continue to apply to them, no matter how federal deliberations on the issue play out.”
The bill, if signed, would require the R.I. Division of Motor Vehicles to issue driver’s licenses to every qualifying applicant or past recipient of a grant of deferred action.
The bill will also provide that the issuance of a Rhode Island operator’s license would not confer the right to vote in the state of Rhode Island to a DACA recipient.
The bill now moves to the governor’s office for approval.
