Dems Float Bill To Let Undocumented Immigrants Drive In Wisconsin

State Assembly Democrats are introducing legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses in Wisconsin.

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa said the bill would increase public safety by allowing insured and educated drivers on the road. She also says allowing more Hispanic consumers to drive legally would boost the economy.

“They want to be able to buy cars. Latinos are great consumers,” she said. “We want to pluck money into our local economy. This bill, as I said, is not an immigration bill. It’s an economic development bill; it’s a public safety bill.”

The Migration Policy Institute estimates that there are 76,000 unauthorized immigrants living in Wisconsin, 75 percent of whom are from Mexico. Unlike normal driver’s licenses, the proposed driver’s card would require a two-year renewal period and would not be valid for voting purposes.