by Daniel Nardini
The State Assembly of Nebraska ruled that all young undocumented people covered under the federal DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) should have the right to drivers’ licenses. The issue has little to do with immigration more than road safety. Nevertheless, since the federal government has offered protection for those who were brought to the United States as children, and who pose as no criminal threat to this country, should have drivers’ licenses. These young undocumented did not make the choice to come to this country on their own, and now that they are becoming adults they need transportation like anyone else to go to work, travel from place to place, and even to buy food. This is not unreasonable—many other states have done this.
However, Nebraska’s governor, Pete Ricketts, vetoed the legislation because he stated it was “too broad” and had awarded a “privilege” to those who were “breaking the law.” The argument sounds more like a person who is ideologically extreme than someone who should be looking at the issue of road safety in his own state. An undocumented young person with no driver’s license and no car insurance will not stop such people from driving. Like so many Americans and legal permanent residents, they need private transportation to do what they need to do. But without a driver’s license and car insurance, such people can be liable for imprisonment and this will cost taxpayers a great deal of money if these young undocumented get into accidents.
Because of the safety issue, the State Assembly easily overruled the governor. The measure is now law, and this means that those young undocumented who qualify under the federal DACA will be able to receive drivers’ licenses. It will mean they will be insured, and have to follow the rules of the road like everyone else. In this instance, it is a win-win situation. It is a win for those young undocumented who need their own transportation, it is a win for the state that needs to uphold the rules of the road, and it means that state residents will not have to pay for those who might otherwise not have car insurance.
Nebraska’s Wise Vote
by Daniel Nardini
The State Assembly of Nebraska ruled that all young undocumented people covered under the federal DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) should have the right to drivers’ licenses. The issue has little to do with immigration more than road safety. Nevertheless, since the federal government has offered protection for those who were brought to the United States as children, and who pose as no criminal threat to this country, should have drivers’ licenses. These young undocumented did not make the choice to come to this country on their own, and now that they are becoming adults they need transportation like anyone else to go to work, travel from place to place, and even to buy food. This is not unreasonable—many other states have done this.
However, Nebraska’s governor, Pete Ricketts, vetoed the legislation because he stated it was “too broad” and had awarded a “privilege” to those who were “breaking the law.” The argument sounds more like a person who is ideologically extreme than someone who should be looking at the issue of road safety in his own state. An undocumented young person with no driver’s license and no car insurance will not stop such people from driving. Like so many Americans and legal permanent residents, they need private transportation to do what they need to do. But without a driver’s license and car insurance, such people can be liable for imprisonment and this will cost taxpayers a great deal of money if these young undocumented get into accidents.
Because of the safety issue, the State Assembly easily overruled the governor. The measure is now law, and this means that those young undocumented who qualify under the federal DACA will be able to receive drivers’ licenses. It will mean they will be insured, and have to follow the rules of the road like everyone else. In this instance, it is a win-win situation. It is a win for those young undocumented who need their own transportation, it is a win for the state that needs to uphold the rules of the road, and it means that state residents will not have to pay for those who might otherwise not have car insurance.