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Armstrong bill would require
citizenship proof in applying for driver's license
Non-citizens
would receive 'stamped' license
Rep. Mike
Armstrong
today introduced legislation that would require applicants for a
Washington state driver's license to provide proof, such as a birth
certificate, to show they are United States citizens. Under
House Bill 2930, those who cannot produce proof of citizenship would
still be allowed to receive a driver's license, however, it would be
stamped with the words, "not valid for identification purposes."
"I want to help
distinguish between those who have proven citizenship and those who
don't. This is so when they register to vote, if they can show this new
driver's license that does not include the stamp, it's a clear signal
that they are eligible as citizens to register and vote," said
Armstrong, assistant ranking member of the State Government and Tribal
Affairs Committee.
Armstrong, R-Wenatchee,
says the new driver's licenses would also be helpful to prospective farm
employers.
"If someone shows up to
work in an orchard, the farmer currently has no way of knowing whether
that person is or is not a legal citizen of the United States. If the
driver's license is not stamped, the farmer can trust that the worker is
a citizen," noted Armstrong.
Armstrong stressed that
his license proposal is not intended to be an immigration bill.
""We're not trying to
prevent people from getting a driver's license. They can still do so,
whether or not they are citizens," added Armstrong. "This measure simply
says that we want people that have and use a driver's license to use
them correctly. Under this bill, a Washington state driver's license
that is not stamped would become a valid proof of citizenship. If it is
a stamped license, that person would have to show some other valid proof
of citizenship for such things as election registration."
The measure would also
apply to identicards issued by the state of Washington.
Armstrong said his
research found that the Legislature approved a similar law back in the
1960s. However, it has not been enforced.
"This bill would
strengthen the existing law and encourage the Department of Licensing to
implement this procedure that was originally adopted more than 40 years
ago," concluded Armstrong.
The measure has been
referred to the House Transportation Committee.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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