NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – Currently, it is against state law for an undocumented immigrant to apply for a driver’s license.

Immigrant advocates from western Massachusetts boarded a bus from Northampton to the statehouse Tuesday morning to ask lawmakers to pass The Family Working and Mobility Act.

If passed, this would give undocumented immigrants the opportunity to apply for a standard driver’s license as long as they provide a proof of identity, date of birth and Massachusetts residency.

However, Governor Charlie Baker has said there should be verification of legal status before someone is given a license. Baker introduced an amendment to stop illegal immigrants from getting licenses in 2016, when the state passed the Real ID law.

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Rose Bookbinder of the pioneer valley workers center said this bill would prevent using licenses as a basis for immigration prosecution.

“They don’t want to feel fear to go to the doctor’s office to drive to and from work to drive their kids to school.. this act and being able to live without fear when you get in the car is invaluable to them,” Bookbinder said.

A man who declined to share his identity said he’s familiar with the problems undocumented immigrants face without having the ability to get their drivers license.

“This area is very hard to get around if you don’t have a license. They have buses but there’s not too many of them, you need a license.”

The status of the bill is currently being discussed by the states transportation committee.

12 states including Connecticut and Vermont have passed similar bills.