Posted on 02/19/2020 3:23:15 PM PST by Maceman
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — It’s the law that you need a license to drive.
But, if you’re undocumented and driving without a license in Cambridge, police have been advised not to arrest you for that.
It’s all part of a new law that passed unanimously in the city, which encourages police to summons unlicensed drivers instead of arresting them. The procedure has already been practiced for a while, but city leaders said they felt compelled to officially make it a law, in fear of what could happen to immigration laws should President Trump be re-elected.
“We need to protect our community members from a federal government that’s out of control," said Cambridge City Councilor Quinton Zondervan. “There are no other reasons for the police to arrest someone, give them a court summons instead which keeps them out of the clutches of the Trump administration.”
Currently, Massachusetts requires drivers to show proof of legal status in order to obtain a driver’s license, a move that many have opposed saying it makes roads more dangerous.
However, for Zondervan, the move is more of an effort to shield undocumented immigrants from the current federal government.
Recently, immigration officials announced they were sending additional border agents to sanctuary cities in an effort to step up the current administration’s immigration enforcement.
In Cambridge, the efforts to protect undocumented immigrants doesn’t mean they won’t have to respond to legal consequences, but it means they won’t be subject to deportation or at risk of being flagged by ICE.
“We’ve got to stand up for the people who live here,” said Rona Fisherman.
“Targeting people for minor violations really sets them back," said Alex King.
The overwhelming majority of people who spoke to Boston 25 News say they strongly support the new ordinance. Under the new law, officers will look for other ways to avoid impounding cars of unlicensed drivers.
However, some are questioning if this will encourage others to drive without a license.
“I don’t think they should be sent to ice just because they’re trying to live a life here, but I also don’t think you should have unlicensed people driving cars," said Jessie.
From 2017 through 2019, there were 278 cases where Cambridge Police recommended the driver be charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, 201 were handled with a summons while only 77 were handled via arrest.
A police spokesperson says the arrests likely involved additional charges and possibly outstanding warrants. If the driver has other legal troubles, then officers may arrest them.
The new law does not protect people from being arrested for reasons beyond the lack of a valid driver’s license, including active or outstanding warrants, but it does, however, prohibit police from inquiring about a person’s immigration status.
So sad.
You try that and see what happens. I despise the government.
Perhaps the Massachusetts legislature should pass a law granting illegal immigrants freedom from prosecution for any crime they want to commit, just to make them “fee welcome” in the state.
If we actually lived under a federalist system, it would be fine for these places to self destruct. We don’t. It isn’t. If you import the population of X, you become X. There is no other possible result.
Equal treatment under the law - nobody should be required to have a drivers license.
Idiocy is rampant all over this country.
Under new Cambridge MA lawlessness, illegal aliens are officially immune from our laws.
Welcome to North Mexico, gringos.
Citizens will continue to be subject.
They have already done that without codifying it. And the illegals know it.
I can go to jail for something that will get an illegal alien cut loose. This is just sick.
Democrats really do hate America and Americans.
Doesn’t it just make you ralph your lunch when a Democrat blathers on about the “rule of law” when criticizing Trump?
No one is above the law except illegal immigrants.
Come on Cambridge, you can reward them better than that.
Auto insurance companies should either file suit or refuse to do business in MA then...
Rat controlled states are putting their citizens in danger, they need to be tarred and feathered
So if I get pulled over in cambridge, I can just tell the cops “I don’t have a license, I’m here illegally.”
“Auto insurance companies should either file suit or refuse to do business in MA then...”
Ha, Auto Insurance is the #1 industry in this state. They’re probably behind this law.
I'd laugh myself silly.
Our justice system has way too many tiers.
Doesn’t go far enough in welcoming illegals.
Every time an illegal is charged with a crime a citizen should be incarcerated in their place and bear the punishment.
Speak only a foreign language to police and you should be fine.
Why obey any law?
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