On July 1st, 2023, the Work and Family Mobility Act took effect and opened the door for immigrants to obtain a valid Massachusetts driver’s license.
According to mass.gov:
“The Work and Family Mobility Act removes the requirement that customers provide proof of lawful presence for a Standard driver’s license.”
Applicants must show either a foreign passport or a consular identification document. In addition, one of the following documents must also be provided, a driver’s license from any state in the United States or one of its territories, a certified copy or original birth certificate issued within the United States, a foreign national identification card, a foreign driver’s license or a marriage certificate or divorce decree issued in the United States or one of its territories.
The process works just like it would for anyone else applying. Applicants would need to apply for a learner’s permit, study for their exam, get the necessary documents together, take the exam for a learner’s permit, practice driving, and then schedule their road test. A license will be issued in the mail upon passing the road test.
According to mass.gov:
“There will be no changes to Standard driver’s license cards. There will be no way to tell what documents the customer presented when they applied for their Standard driver’s license.”
Licenses will also be issued for a duration of five years, even if an individual’s immigration documentation is expiring in less than five years.
Anyone who operates a car in Massachusetts legally must have car insurance on that vehicle. What protections are in place to guarantee that this law will be followed? For applicants who are immigrants, is their previous driving record being evaluated? We must not hand out licenses to individuals with a history of reckless driving or driving while under the influence. I could not find any text providing the answer to these concerns.
So that leaves a question for each resident of Massachusetts, what can a person do to help solve the problem? First, we must bring awareness and educate each other on what is happening right under our noses. That can be as simple as sharing this article or the information you learned. You may also want to consider running for an elected position. More than ever before, we need good people running for office, from school committees to town/city selectmen, to the State House and Congress. Whatever you choose is always important to remember to do it peacefully and lawfully. The more we band together to help restore our values and morals as a state, the more successful we will be. Here is to brighter days in Massachusetts.
Charlie W.
Sources
https://www.mass.gov/guides/work-and-family-mobility-act-wfma
Massachusetts First 
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