(Headline USA) Minnesota Democrats passed a law this week that would allow illegal immigrants to apply for and obtain drivers licenses without having to prove they are in the country legally.
The “Driver’s License for All” legislation states that a person applying for a state ID or driver’s license “is not required to demonstrate United States citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.”
Republicans pointed out the language of the text is so vague that it would allow illegal immigrants to use their drivers licenses as voter identification. They sought to amend the bill’s language to include “Not for flying” and “Not for voting,” but Democrats rejected both measures.
“What in your bill prevents that terrorist from coming to Minnesota, getting a driver’s license and getting on an airline and committing a terrorist act?” Minnesota Republican state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen said.
But Democrat state Sen. Zaynab Mohamed claimed giving illegals licenses will actually enhance public safety.
“The right thing to do is keeping the people who are on our roads safe, and that’s what Minnesotans are asking for,” Mohamed said. “Everyone across the state wants … people on our roads to have gotten the proper driver’s education that they need to have a proof of license so we can all be safe and live our lives with dignity.”
Undocumented Minnesotans have been asking us to pass Driver’s Licenses for All for 20 years.
There have been hunger strikes, people have slept outside the Senate chamber, and others have camped on the Capitol lawn. All for this moment.
WE DID IT! #SíSePudo pic.twitter.com/InQfI0Igxs
— Zaynab Mohamed (@ZaynabMMohamed) February 22, 2023
Mohamed also rejected Republicans’ concerns about opening Minnesota up to potential terror threats, claiming documentation requirements didn’t stop the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, which she called a “terrorist attack.”
“January 6 happened — that was a terrorist attack, and there were a lot of U.S. citizens who I’m sure had a lot of classic driver’s licenses, and I also condemn that,” she said.
The bill will now be sent to the Minnesota state House for final review before being sent to Gov. Tim Walz’s desk for approval. It is not clear whether he plans to sign it.
