Keep our roads safe - don't target immigrants' driver licenses

The message:

Immigrants – like many of us – need to be able to drive in New Hampshire. Taking away access to a driver's license because of language skills or depending on which visa a person is currently on while residing in New Hampshire is unfair, discriminatory, and bad for our entire community.

Right now, the New Hampshire Senate is considering two bills, HB 452 and HB 461, that would make it harder for immigrants to drive. HB 452 would take driver's licenses from some immigrants, depending on which visa they hold or where they are on the pathway to citizenship – all of whom have official authorization to be present in the United States and even for those who have official authorization to work in New Hampshire.

HB 461 would prevent people who are not native English speakers from accessing a driver's license by prohibiting the DMV from providing testing materials in any language other than English – and banning translation and interpretation for both the written and driving exams – despite federal law barring discrimination and federal funding that requires access for people with limited English proficiency.

These bills will make New Hampshire roadways less safe. HB 452 and HB 461 are not about public safety, but rather, would unjustly target immigrants of all backgrounds and immigration statuses.

The bills have already passed the state House of Representatives, so the time is now to tell your state Senator to oppose these bills when they vote on them soon!