Override Vote Expected After Baker Vetoes Immigrant License Bill

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday vetoed a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a state-issued driver's license.

Baker explained that he vetoed it because the Registry of Motor Vehicles, an agency he oversees, can't verify the identities of potential applicants.

The Work & Family Mobility Act is available to immigrants in 16 other states who are allowed access to legal driver's licenses, but Massachusetts still is not. The immigrant community and supporters in the Bay State have been advocating for this right for over 16 years.

The Work & Family Mobility Act would allow Massachusetts immigrants regardless of documentation status to be able to obtain a driver's license.

In his veto message, Baker said the legislation "significantly increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote," a possibility that bill supporters have rebutted. Baker said the bill "restricts the Registry's ability to share citizenship information with those entities responsible for ensuring that only citizens register for and vote in our elections."

On Thursday, House and Senate Democrats passed the legislation, which supporters say will help make the roads safer. Republicans expressed opposition to the bill before Baker shot it down; however, the bill cleared both branches of government with more than enough support to override the veto.

Having voted 118-36 Thursday to approve the bill, the House will now decide whether to override the veto, since two-thirds of the vote is required to pass into law and the Senate voted in favor 32-8.

"I'm pretty sure and very confident that the Senate will pass this. And if it does come back to us, we will make sure that we have the same [support to] override," said Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield), a bill supporter.

"Allowing parents to drive their kids to school, take them to doctor's appointments or be in charge of carpooling to take their kids to soccer, all without the concern they may be separated if they are pulled over, will allow children of undocumented immigrants to breathe and have a sigh of relief," Gomez added earlier this month.

Ana Vivas, a spokesperson for Speaker Ron Mariano, told the Boston Business Journal that the House plans to take its override vote on June 8.

If the bill passes, it would expand access to driver's licenses starting July 1, 2023. Applicants would still need to provide proof of their identity, date of birth and residency in Massachusetts.