Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT IDEA.THAT LAWMAKER SAYS GIVINGUNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ADRIVER'S LICENSE IS REALLY ABOUTSAFETY>> THEY ARE DRIVING ON THE ROADWITHOUT ANY FORMAL EDUCATION ONHOW TO DRIVE THOSE RULES OF THEROAD.>> TULSA REPRESENTATIVE MONROENICHOLS IS SPONSORING HOUSE BILL12-58.IT LOOKS GIVE UNDOCUMENTEDIMMIGRANTS A DRIVERS LICENSEWITHOUT FEAR OF BEING TURNOVER TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.>> FOLKS ARE HERE, THEY AREDRIVING AND IT WOULD BE BETTER, HE SAYS, IF THEY KNOW THERULES OF THE ROAD.I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SOMEONEWHO'S HERE ILLEGALLY IN THISCOUNTY SHOULD GET A DRIVERSLICENSE, NO.>> THE BILL MAYBE HEARD BEFORETHE PUBLIC SAFETY CHAIR BOBBYCLEVELAND WHO SAYS HE WOULDNEVER VOTE FOR A BILL LIKE THIS.>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS MAKINGTHIS STATE A SANCTUARY STATE ANDIM OPPOSED TO THAT.>> NICHOLS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TOMAKE HIS CASE IN A FEW WEEKS.WE HAVE TO SEPARATE MYTH ANDFEARS AWAY FROM FACTS ANDSAFETY.THIS IS A FACT AND SAFETY ISSUE.>> NICHOLS ALSO POINTS TO THEECONOMIC BENEFITS OF MORE PEOPLE

Advertisement Lawmaker to propose bill to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A newly elected Oklahoma lawmaker is pushing through one of his first bills this legislative session, but it’s likely to get some pushback from the majority Republican House. Rep. Monroe Nichols, of Tulsa, is the author of House Bill 1258, which would allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses without fear of being turned over to federal authorities. “It’s about a public safety issue … that those on the highways know the rules of the road,” he said. As Nichols sees it, unlicensed immigrants are already driving on Oklahoma highways without any formal education on how to do so safely. “Folks are here. They are driving,” he said. He’s ready for pushback but thinks it’s important other lawmakers see the reality of what Oklahoma is facing. “This building is about finding really good solutions for Oklahoma if we separate ourselves from the myths,” Nichols said. The proposed bill will likely be heard before the Public Safety Committee. Rep. Bobby Cleveland is the chair. “I do not believe that someone who’s here illegally in this county should get a driver’s license, no,” he said. In a time when federal authorities are vetting borders, Cleveland thinks this is not the time for this bill. “What this bill does is make this state a sanctuary state, and I’m opposed to that,” he said, adding he would never vote for this bill. Nichols said the bill would bring up possible benefits to the state, including having more people paying for auto insurance and registering their vehicles. He said other states have passed similar bills successfully. “We have to separate myth and fears away from facts and safety,” Nichols said. “This is a fact and safety issue.” He will have to make his case for this bill in a few weeks.