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Florida Drivers Licenses for Illegal Immigrants Being Proposed Again

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The topic of illegal immigrants obtaining Florida driving permits is an issue usually proposed by Democrats–but not this time as a Republican in the Legislature is championing the issue.

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The topic of illegal immigrants obtaining Florida driving permits is an issue usually proposed by Democrats–but not this time as a Republican in the Legislature is championing the issue.

Florida Senate President Pro Tempore David Simmons, R-Longwood, thinks the time has come to bring undocumented workers “out of the shadows” and get them to a place where they are legally driving in the Sunshine State.

The senator said his bill would give illegals a legal permit to drive, especially for work status.

Groups backing giving drivers licenses for illegal immigrants may get on board with Simmons’ proposal.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition claims that if illegal immigrants were able to obtain drivers licenses, drivers across the state would see lower insurance premiums and safer roads.

The group also insists this move could lead to “a potential increase of $4 million in state revenue if 75 percent of Floridians currently denied licenses due to their immigration status were able to receive a driver’s license.”

Some Florida Democrats have hinted they may get behind Simmons’ proposal but they still want to see the final details.

Earlier this year, a similar proposal was brought up by state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who introduced a bill that would let illegal immigrants be eligible to get a driver’s licenses despite their status, even going as far as using documents from an unexpired foreign passport or a birth certificate from another nation. Republicans in the Legislature shot down that proposal calling it a way for illegal immigrants to get citizenship and to vote.

Simmons maintains that his bill is different, insisting he is not proposing giving illegal immigrants a pathway to citizenship.

“They are already working and they are already driving,” said Simmons.

Immigration attorney Indera Demine, who has supported legislation in the past to give illegal immigrants drivers licenses, weighed in on the topic.

“Illegal immigrants are already here, they are going to drive anyway to provide for their families so why not make the roads safer?” asked Demine.

 

Reach Ed Dean at ed.dean@floridadaily.com.

 

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10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Carol Maresca

    July 29, 2019, 11:24 pm at 11:24 pm

    You know that all undocumented people aren’t coming for a new life. Many are gang members or drug dealers. Also, many are victims of human traffickers or their victims. This is an assault on our country. There is a path to citizenship, it must be used. Feel good actions are dangerous. We the lawful citizens of this Republic should be your first priority.

  2. Tina

    July 30, 2019, 4:18 am at 4:18 am

    No illegal immigrant should not be given
    A driver’s license!!!! I don’t care about revenue!!!! Further more tbere should not be illegals working here!!! Get a grip people!!!! #NO SCANC CITY!!!!

  3. Ken

    July 30, 2019, 7:39 am at 7:39 am

    All these idiot lawmakers will do is screw up Florida more than they already have…when I get hit in the ass at a redlight by a no habla illegal WITH NO INSURANCE…remember…YOU ARE THE REASON I AM BEATING HIS ASS IN THE MEDIAN!!

  4. M

    July 30, 2019, 10:54 am at 10:54 am

    Lol “gang members” & “drug dealers” well that sounds familiar. Have you even met an “undocumented”? Do you personally know one or of one? The PEOPLE coming here are looking for a BETTER and SAFER way to live the Rest of their lives..

  5. Suzan Marchman

    July 30, 2019, 3:19 pm at 3:19 pm

    The fact is that we have a system of laws that are and have been ignored for many years and the fact that they are looking for a better life goes without saying, but their are many people in the world today that would apply to. Mass Illegal immigration is economically and culturally unsustainable. It will destroy the quality of life for all of us. Congress especially the Democrats who are feeding this invasion had better step up and stop it. Citizens had better let Congress know how they feel. Sadly this is what you get when Republicans like Simmons work together with Democrats like Eskamani. This is why president Trump was elected. We are not going to accept these One World Global Policies. Wake up.

  6. Donald Fisher

    July 30, 2019, 5:56 pm at 5:56 pm

    Who’s going to insure them or pay for their accidents when they smash into your fourth thousand dollar vehicle or your medical bills ! They send the percentage of their money back to Mexico and a hell of a lot of them work off the books so they don’t pay taxes ! Government needs to think of another way to make money without endangering more American citizens!

  7. Nancy Luckhurst

    July 31, 2019, 1:28 pm at 1:28 pm

    Are you nuts? I moved to Florida Permanently from Michigan in 2013. To get a Florida Drivers license I had to show my birth certificate. Certified copies of my marriage license, Divorce papers, i have been married 3 times so yea I had to get CERTIFIED copies of all of them. That is expensive. I am surprised they didn’t ask for me to sacrifice my first born to the state. And now you want to give a drivers license to ILLEGAL ALIENS????????????????? If I rob a bank can i just keep the money because I really need it. H*** NO I can’t i will go to Federal prison for a very long time. They are breaking our Federal laws and you want to reward them. OMG.

  8. Mr. Bm

    September 20, 2019, 12:45 pm at 12:45 pm

    1- The immigrant has felony? Ineligible
    * The imigrant has tax payers? Good attitude? No D.U.I? Has unless 3.000 bucks in your personal account for 12 months? Any claims neighbors? Coming to the board? Tag plate has insurance all time always paid and renewals every each 6 months? Eligible
    If the guy or anyone don’t keep this simple obligations agree never able to get apply but a person that help with the economy the state hard work and paid taxes could be available apply for 2 years and renewal each time suck a analysis.

  9. Anonymous

    September 25, 2019, 9:09 pm at 9:09 pm

    Undocumented immigrants are people everyone deserves a opportunity..

  10. Anonymous

    January 16, 2020, 5:20 am at 5:20 am

    there are requirements to fill up if they dont pass then they fail.. that simple . u dont judge book by its cover u dont know what they been thru and what theyve done. God said Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. amen

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Ed Dean: Publisher

 

Ed Dean is a leading radio and news media personality including hosting the #1 statewide radio talk show in Florida. Contact Ed.Dean@FloridaDaily.com

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