Abstract
Many natural-born American citizens, naturalized citizens, and legal permanent residents view undocumented immigrants unfavorably because these immigrants entered the country illegally or overstayed their visas. The U.S. population includes approximately 11,000,000 undocumented immigrants. These immigrants are part of society: They work, form families, buy property, and drive vehicles. However, only 15 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico grant driving privileges to undocumented immigrants. Massachusetts driver's license policy requires applicants to provide a social security number and proof of legal presence in the country, which undocumented immigrants do not have. Undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts have consequently been driving in fear of criminal charges and deportation. They also pose a risk to public safety by driving unlicensed and uninsured. This study was designed to understand the factors that influenced Connecticut, Illinois, and Maryland's decisions to grant driver's license policies to undocumented immigrants. The study relied on Schneider and Ingram's (1993) theory of social construction to understand the target population and its impact on policy design. The study also relied on Freeman's (1992) theory of cost-benefit analysis, which suggests that the creation of immigration policies is closely related to the multiple interests at play among stakeholders. The findings indicated that growth in immigrant population and grassroots immigration advocacy efforts played a significant role in the passing of driver's license policies in these three states. In addition, the three states reframed the offering of driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants by focusing on road safety. The detection of these themes may support discussion among pro-immigrant advocates in Massachusetts and elsewhere about factors that influenced Connecticut, Maryland, and Illinois to enact inclusive driver's license policies for undocumented immigrants.--Author's abstract
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