Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Aliens Legislation Gains Traction in Indiana
Jose Nino
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In early February, bills that would grant drivers’ licenses to illegal aliens are gaining steam in Indiana.
According to Shari Rendall, the State and Local Engagement Director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, these bills have already passed their respective committees of reference in the Indiana State House and State Senate.
As Rendall noted, should Indiana pass this legislation, “it would be the first state completely controlled by Republicans to do so and would be complicit in the Biden administration’s efforts to circumvent our nation’s immigration laws.”
Senate Bill 248, which is sponsored by State Senator Blake Doriot, would grant a “driving privilege card” to illegal aliens who demonstrate proof they have been paying taxes for at least one year, submit fingerprints for criminal background checks, and possess auto insurance. Senator Doriot asserts that driving privilege cards are necessary owing to how these individuals “are participating in our economy, in our society. They are employed.”
On February 7, 2023, SB 248 was passed by a razor margin (5-4) in the Senate Homeland Security and Transportation Committee.
House Bill 1050 is sponsored by State Representative Jim Pressel though it has several differences from SB 248. It ostensibly does not grant driver’s licenses to illegal aliens but only to individuals with “lawful status” which includes individuals paroled into the United States, individuals with a pending or approved asylum application, individuals with a pending or approved application for temporary protected status, or individuals who have an approved deferred action status. However as Rendell observed, “HB 1050 essentially gives a driver’s license to every individual the Biden Administration is allowing into the country contrary to our immigration laws.”
She added, “This bill which appears to limit the issuance of driver’s licenses in reality will provide them to practically every alien.”
On February 7, the House Roads and Transportation Committee unanimously passed HB 1050. It was subsequently referred to the Ways and Means Committee, which held a hearing on the bill on February 13.
Should Indiana pass such legislation, it will be the 19th state to have this legislation on the books. Moreover, it would be the first Republican-controlled state to pass this legislation. Even in Indiana, a state with solid Republican majorities in the State House (70-30) and State Senate (40-10), such pro-mass migration policies can still be passed.
This should alarm any immigration patriot concerned with the US’s demographic integrity. As always, vigilance is required to ensure that reckless amnesty policies are held at bay.
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