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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2014)
Street roots Aug. 15, 2014 7 ÙJkaUfd Drivers’ card debate revs up for fall ballot BY ALEX ZIELINSKI confusing, and doesn’t reflect the real issue.” ayra Martinez is never certain that Miller said the measure title, “provides she’ll get to class on time, if at all. Oregon resident “driver card” without Martinez, a 20-year-old Portland requiring proof of legal presence in the State University student, lives on a rural United States,” makes it seem too much like farm near Beaverton with her family, five an illegal immigration issue. When, in fact, miles from a TriMet bus stop. she and other advocates believe it’s more a Uncomfortable biking orwalking on the safety issue than anything. narrow road, Martinez depends on her “Bottom line, it’s about making sure the mother—the only one in the household with other drivers on the road know driving laws a driver’s license - to drop her off at the and are insured,” Miller said. “We want all 1 nearest MAX station on the way to her work Oregon drivers to feel safe.” if she has time. But soon, this already While undocumented Latino immigrants capricious situation may not be an option. make up a larger portion of those affected, Martinez’s mother, who, like Martinez other groups with missing U.S. birth and the rest of her family,» is an certificates — homeless populations, former undocumented immigrant, has a license foster children, seniors, other issued prior to Oregon’s current driver’s undocumented ethnicities - will also take a license laws that require a valid U.S. birth hit if the measure doesn’t pass. certificate in registering for a card. Later Oregon Voice, a local community this year, it will expiré; along with nearly 8 organizing nonprofit focused on thousand other Oregonians’. underrepresented social groups, supports “After that, I don’t know how I’m going to Measure 88 due to the impact it could have get to school, or even to the grocery store,” L on veteran and homeless populations. Martinez said. “I don’t want to drive “This would mean people living out of illegally, but if there’s an emergency, it’s our their car could legally move their home,” only option.” says Iris Hodge, Oregon Voice’s Health and However, a measure on November’s ballot Civic Engagement Coordinator. “The could ease Martinez’s worries. The newly homeless community already has so many numbered Measure 88 aims to grant drivers pressing issues to deal with. If this measure cards to Oregon residents without U.S. birth could help keep them out of more trouble, certificates, allowing them to operate a I’m for i t ” But, Hodge adds, “Cost could vehicle after passing a regular DMV driver’s definitly be an issue.” te s t While Gov. John Kitzhaber signed tins “At least ohe in eight Asian Pacific idea into law last year during a jubilant May Islanders in Oregon are undocumented,” Day festival, opponents of the card collected said Paulo Esteban, a field organizer for the enough signatures to file a referendum in Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon October - putting the card’s future in the (APANO). “And so many of our families hands of Oregon voters. can’t truly thrive without reliable Ten other states have successfully passed transportation.” similar bills over the recent years, but B ut, E steb an adds, safety rem ain s a key Oregon will be the first state to bring the issu e in APAN Q ’s j o in t cam paign w ith ? ” , issue to the ballot, With the campaigns just "‘CAU SA ? ojut oí the gate, advocates and opponents “Whichever side of the ballot you’re on, are making sure this election won’t go it’s important to note that we all share the road? he said, “And I don’t want to risk unnoticed. “Our biggest challenge is making sure the getting in an accident with an uninsured voters know what this measurereally is d riv er?;> k z9..., , ' ' However, this is the leading problem about,” said Andrea Miller, director of , Measure 88’s challengers have with their CAUSA, the Latino advocacy nonprofit opponent’s campaign., . — , . ' behind Measure 88’s support 'team — '“Our opponents have made tìtós a safety. ; i campaign now backed b ^th e ■ z ? issu e ,M tit^ '|^ ta 're d ;h e íT h )g ? s^ d ; I Club and Portland Chief o f Police Reese. “The ballot title is extremely STAFF W R ITER M ill— i B ill ■ SB l i li l í for Immigration Reform (OFIR), the group responsible for the October referendum. “This is letting illegal aliens circumvent state laws to move around the country. This is contrary to what our lawmakers should be doing.” Protect Oregon Driver’s Licenses — a "Bottew Mae, it’s ilw a t spinoff political action snahlng sure the ether committee of OFIR - drivers on the read know is leading the opposing dsw lng laws and are campaign with backing insured. We want a ll Oregon from a handful of drivers to feel sale." Oregon representatives akprea miller and a heap of funding D IR F Ç TO R ; C A U S A from Nevada conservative Loren Parks — one of the largest individual donors in Oregon politics. “Giving a driver’s card to someone who’s here illegally Will only increase Oregon’s illegal alien population,” said PODL spokesman Jim Ludwick. “(Illegal immigrants) have no respect for our laws in the first place — what makes us think they’!! follow this one?” Oregon historically didn’t require residents to show a Social Security number or birth certificate when applying for a driver’s license. But after the 9/11 attacks sparked a federal crackdown on licensing requirements, former goverbir Ted Kulongoski followed suit, making Social Security cards mandatory for every driver. Ludwick said that Gov. Kitzhaber’s signing of the 2013 bill is blatantly against thé federal government’s wishes. “You can’t ju s t pick an d ch o o se th e law s you want to follow,* he Said. “Is it goingW take another terrorist attack to make us CAUSA’s Miller said she expects a fight to the ballot box - and it may be ugly. But a battie> the last thing on Martinez’s, mind; She’d just like a safe way to get t§ ' school. , “I’ve read the driverismanual, I’ve tak e^ ; H IBI®! practice tests, I’m ready to go.” she said, one hurdle left? 1 ; jg ■ ■ «X ■ h p iif PAID TRAINING NORTHW EST Beyond Limitations’" REQUIREMENTS: FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES! S312 NE 148th Ave, Portanti, OR 97230 Sisters Of The Road non-profit cafe in Old Town “Being at Sisters has kept me remembering who I am, that I am a human being who can love people and do good things. 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