Issue Position: Immigrant Justice & Protections

Issue Position

Issue
In our current political climate, immigrant families risk deportation and detention every time they drive. In the first two years of the Trump administration, arrests of people with no criminal convictions have more than tripled, and the most common charges are minor traffic offenses. By making drivers licenses available to all qualified drivers regardless of immigration status, we will increase safety for everyone on our roads and reduce the impact the administration's policies have on immigrant families in our communities.

Christine's Plan
I filed legislation, H.3012 , which would enable all qualified state residents to apply for a standard state drivers license, regardless of their federal immigration status. This is feasible now that we have transitioned to a two-tiered drivers license process. Massachusetts residents can apply for either a REAL ID or a standard Massachusetts license, which cannot be used for flying or federal buildings. This bill allows any resident, regardless of immigration status, to apply for a standard MA license. Twelve other states and D.C. have implemented similar programs, and evidence shows that this type of program makes our roads safer-- more drivers will be insured, will have passed road and vision tests, and are less likely to flee to scene of an accident for fear of deportation.

Supported By
The Driving Families Forward Coalition, a growing and diverse coalition including the ACLU, the Brazilian Workers Center, JALSA, League of Women Voters, MIRA, The Welcome Project, labor unions, and more.

Equal Stimulus Checks for Immigrant Taxpayers (COVID-19)
Issue
Some immigrants and their families were excluded from any economic stimulus payments in the federal CARES Act, and are also ineligible for state unemployment benefits and other assistance programs-- leaving them particularly vulnerable to the economic crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christine's Plan
I filed H.4726 to provide state financial assistance, in the same amount as the stimulus payments in the CARES Act, to residents of Massachusetts who file their taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). There are about 57,000 ITIN filers in Massachusetts, many of whom are undocumented immigrants.

Supported By
Brazilian Workers Center, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Massachusetts Coalition for Health Equity, Boston Bar Association, The Metropolitan Area Planning Council, The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Greater Boston Legal Services, several cities and towns, and more.

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