Discussion slated Saturday on driver’s licenses for immigrants

WILLMAR - Community members are invited to join a discussion Saturday in Willmar to ask public leaders to support a policy that will allow undocumented immigrants access to driver’s licenses.  
The event is being hosted by ISAIAH, a faith-based Minnesota organization that supports racial and economic equality. Several hundred faith leaders are expected to attend Saturday’s event at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 2-4 p.m, according to a news release from ISAIAH.
Sen. Lyle Koenen, Rep. Dave Baker and Mayor Marv Calvin are also expected to attend the event to hear community members’ opinions on the issue.
Undocumented immigrants are currently not able to earn a Minnesota driver’s license. ISAIAH argues that, by allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license, the roads will be made safer.
“This law prevents those families from driving to work or school safely as licensed and insured drivers and lowers our community’s public safety,” the release states.  
Many undocumented immigrants drive without a license, not because they want to break the law, the organization says, but because they are unable to apply for one.
Before the law was changed in 2003, undocumented immigrants were allowed to obtain a license. Therefore, many of those same people who had a license before that time can renew their license.
The proposed bill would expand the size of the group, rather than create an entirely new category, the release states.
The organization also argues current law excludes immigrants from fully participating in society.
“As a faith community, we believe that safe, healthy communities are ones that allow all members to fully participate in schools, churches and jobs,” the release states.