Here & Now

Immigrant Rights Supporters Push for Licenses

Frederica Freyberg:
Back to the state capitol now, where some 4,000 people attended a rally calling for specific budget action on May Day.

[chanting protests in Spanish]

Frederica Freyberg:
Immigrant rights activists gathered at the capitol to push for driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants.

Tony Evers:
We’re announcing tonight that undocumented folks will be eligible to receive driver license and ID cards.

[applause]

Frederica Freyberg:
Legislation to do so is included in the Evers budget proposal but has received no support from Republicans. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke says, “Immigrants do indeed make Wisconsin stronger. Illegal immigrants, however, are breaking the law, and we should not validate that by extending privileges.” Currently, twelve states have a similar driver’s license proposal. And Evers says he would look to introduce the measure in a separate bill if Republicans take it out of the budget.

[chanting protests in Spanish]