On February 10, Veena Iyer, executive director of Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM), joined Cathy Wurzer and Eric Eskola of TPT – Twin Cities PBS Almanac to talk about the implications of the Driver’s Licenses for All bill (HF 4) recently passed by the Minnesota House of Representatives.

If fully legislated, the bill will restore driver’s licenses to all Minnesotans regardless of immigration status (an option formerly in place until it was revoked in 2003) and as long as applicants pass written and practical tests and obtain insurance.

Iyer emphasized the lack of a relationship between whether you’re a citizen and the ability to drive. She noted that a driver’s license just confirms that you know the rules of the road, have insurance, and can drive. The bill decouples citizenship and the privilege to drive.

Iyer also stressed that businesses and communities in greater Minnesota will benefit in terms of job access by a workforce currently not able to commute due to a lack of public transportation. The group also discussed concerns, law enforcement support, and numerous public safety benefits. The driver’s licenses segment of the video begins at 7:48.