EDIT: Licenses and Immigration Reform

The Maryland House of Delegates has passed a bill that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a legal driver’s license. If or when Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signs the bill, undocumented immigrants with or without pending immigration statuses can go to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration and apply for a second-tier drivers license. The licenses will specify that the holder cannot use them for federal reasons such as boarding planes and that he or she is not an official U.S. citizen.

This move effectively makes roads safer in Maryland. “Unlicensed or improperly licensed riders are over-represented in crash statistics in [Maryland],” according to the Maryland drivers manual. By inviting undocumented immigrants who may be granted citizenship, Maryland officials can prevent potential imminent road hazards. Otherwise-untrained people who drive regardless of licensing laws will learn how to properly navigate the four-way stops and the roundabouts in the state’s capitol. And this will decrease the number of traffic stops that lead to citizenship-status-related arrests.

By granting state-issued identification, undocumented immigrants can avoid arrests regarding their citizenship status. Previously, an undocumented immigrant without identification, whether they have applied for citizenship, was arrested by police and faced hours in interrogation rooms until they were released. By acquiring a license, future citizens can now avoid these marathon arrests and drive their children to school peacefully. Not all undocumented immigrants will apply for a driver’s license, though.

The legislation also carries potential to deter undocumented immigrants from applying for licenses. People unfamiliar with the restrictions or the policies could view these available driver’s licenses as a means of finding undocumented immigrants to deport them. Now undocumented immigrants with state-issued identification will be treated more as citizens of Maryland instead of criminals at traffic stops.

Granting state-issued licenses will separate the undocumented immigrant population into two groups: Those with “pending citizenship,” and those in the country illegally who have not applied. This policy could even spur more undocumented immigrants to begin the process of becoming a citizen if they have not already. By joining the ranks of Illinois, New Mexico and Washington, Maryland officials have contributed to immigration reform and made the roads safer for all Maryland residents.