Politics & Government

Fairfield State Reps Split on Illegal Immigrant License Bill

In a partisan vote, the House early Thursday passed a bill to allow undocumented immigrants to get a Connecticut driver's license.

By Caitlin Mazzola and Eileen McNamara

Amid reported political rancor, the state House Thursday agreed that undocumented immigrants can get a Connecticut driver's license.

The House voted 74 to 55 on the measure. Total votes necessary for passage was 65.

Most voting in favor of the bill were Democrats, including State Rep. Kim Fawcett, D-133. Republicans -- including Fairfield State Reps. Brenda Kupchick (R-132) and Tony Hwang (R-134) -- largely opposed the measure.

See the roll call vote here, courtesy of the Connecticut General Assembly website.

Earlier in the day the House voted 132-0 in favor of a bill that would limit how state and local police officers can hold illegal immigrants for deportation, the Connecticut Mirror website reports. 

The Senate, where Democrats hold a clear majority, votes next on both bills. If they pass, and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs them into law, Connecticut would join a small number of states to allow licenses to undocumented immigrants. Malloy has said he supports the license measure. 

The state's Office of Legislative Research estimates that 54,000 immigrants could obtain licenses under the bill over the next three years, the Mirror reports. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here