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Senate Dems Introduce Legislation Aimed At Undocumented Immigrants

Noah Coffey
/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/noahwesley/

Indiana Senate Democrats Monday unveiled policy initiatives aimed at helping the state’s undocumented immigrants, including a potential measure that would provide them with drivers permits.

The Pew Research Center estimates that about 110,000 undocumented immigrants live in Indiana.  Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane says there are common sense changes the state can make to help not just that population, but all Hoosiers.  That includes providing limited drivers permits to undocumented immigrants if they show proof of insurance – which Lanane calls a public safety measure:

"You have individuals who are working, they're trying to support their families," he says, "They probably are out there operating vehicles right now without the benefit of either a license or financial responsibility."

Henry Fernandez is part of the Senate Democrats’ Latino Roundtable.  He says the Latino community – more than 400,00 people in Indiana – will be paying attention to the General Assembly:

“Immigration is a personal matter and we will vote to support the candidates that are helping our family, our friends and our neighbors," he says.

Lanane says after the religious freedom legislation debate of last session, he hopes Republicans will be eager to support the policy proposals and show how welcoming Indiana is.  

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.
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