| Hartford, CT –
State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) today testified in support
of SB 438, An Act Requiring Proof of United States
Citizenship or Other Legal Residency In Order To Obtain
or Renew a Motor Vehicle Operator’s License,
a bill which he has co-sponsored.
SB 438 would bring Connecticut into compliance with
the Federal Real ID law, by requiring anyone seeking
to obtain or renew a Connecticut driver’s license
to first show proof of United States citizenship or
legal residency. Furthermore, licenses issued to legal
residents would expire at the same time the resident’s
legal right to remain in the United States expires.
“The intent of this bill is to offer a measure
of protection to everyone who has a legal right to be
here by helping to prevent identify theft and fraud
– including voter, welfare and Medicare fraud
– and to promote public safety by preventing people
from obtaining multiple licenses from different states,”
said Senator Kane. “If we do
not pass this legislation by December of 2009, we will
be in violation of the Real ID Act. This could have
serious consequences for Connecticut residents as our
identification may no longer be accepted for entry to
federal buildings or airports.”
Under current law, the Department of Motor Vehicles
requires proof of residency before issuing a driver’s
license, and visitors from other countries are required
to show proof of legal status. However, when a visitor’s
legal status (i.e. work visa, student visa, etc.) expires,
he or she can still hold a valid Connecticut driver’s
license. SB 438 will ensure that when a visitor from
another country is no longer residing here legally,
his or her Connecticut driver’s license will no
longer be valid either.
“Students, travelers, and workers often receive
visas to be in the country for periods that are many
times shorter then the 6 year driver’s license
period, and are thereby able to bypass the immigration
system because they are using their license as their
main form of id rather then legitimate visas. The terms
of the visas and licenses should be co-terminus,”
said Senator Kane.
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