Durham Rep. Vin Candelora Explains ‘No’ Vote on Licenses for Illegal Immigrants

State Rep. Vin Candelora said his disappointment in the recent passage of a bill granting illegal immigrants driver’s licenses partially stemmed from the defeat of an amendment that would have created a task force to study the idea.

As a result, the bill came to a vote without going through the proper committee and public hearing process, said Candelora, a Republican from North Branford who represents Durham.  

The bill passed the state House of Representatives in a largely partisan divide 75-55. Candelora argued the opponents felt that it was a “rushed” piece of legislation, that “comes with an assortment of potential pitfalls that could otherwise be avoided.”

“Even if one agrees with the concept of providing drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants there are a number of problems and unintended consequences that can arise in the implementation of the law,” Candelora said in a post on his website. “I think it is irresponsible to rush something like this when we don’t have to. There is no emergency.”

Here’s more from that post:

“Candelora noted that 7 of the 11 states that have implemented the program have repealed it due to the serious problems that arose. In hopes of avoided a similar fate in Connecticut Candelora and his Republican colleagues offered an amendment that would require a task force be created to study the process and procedure of granting such licenses. The amendment failed with all Republicans voting in favor.

During debate it was discovered that the bill would prevent undocumented immigrants who were convicted of a felony in Connecticut from obtaining a license; however, felony convictions in other states would not be a factor. An amendment to fix that arbitrary distinction also failed.

“In light of the recent terror attack in Boston, If we are going to move forward on issuing foreign undocumented immigrants with a state issued licenses, proper public safety measures, like fingerprinting this applicants, should have been included.” added Candelora. “We require fingerprinting for law abiding citizens to exercise their 2nd Amendment right, we should do no less for an undocumented immigrant seeking the privilege of obtaining a license.”

The bill now awaits action by Senate. The 2013 legislative session adjourns June 5.