SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Early Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Senate passed Driver’s Licenses for All (HF 4), chief authored by Senator Zaynab Mohamed (DFL — Minneapolis). The legislation restores the freedom for all Minnesotans to obtain a driver’s license, regardless of immigration status.
“This is a huge win for Minnesota’s immigrant movement,” said Senator Mohamed. “I am so proud to have co-led this effort to restore the freedom to drive alongside my friend and colleague, Senator Champion. This victory belongs to Minnesota’s immigrants and the dedicated advocates who have bravely fought for this legislation for over 20 years. Today we sent a message to Minnesota’s undocumented community: we hear you, we see you, and you are a part of our beloved community.”
“I’m very excited to have been a part of this journey to restore the freedom to drive for our fellow Minnesotans who were denied that freedom for the past two decades,” said Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – Minneapolis), a co-author of the bill who played a vital role in guiding it to passage. “We realize that this is a public safety issue, and it’s going to make our streets safer. It will allow our fellow Minnesotans to get to work, take their kids to soccer, and do all the other things that Minnesotans do. So today I am excited to say that our undocumented friends and neighbors can come out of the shadows and have the freedom to drive.”
The bill is soon to be sent to the Governor to be signed into law.
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