D.C. Council to consider immigrant license bill

The D.C. Council is set to consider a bill that would allow immigrants living in the district illegally to obtain a driver’s license.

Mayor Vincent Gray suggested a two-tier system, where individuals living in the country illegally could obtain a license, but it would be marked as invalid for federal purposes. The Council, however, has removed that provision and declared it discriminatory and counterproductive to give people driver’s licenses that reveal their immigration status.

Many states have approved legislation allowing immigrants to receive driver’s licenses regardless of their status, but most use some sort of two-tier system similar to Gray’s proposal. The bill in its current form would supply the same license to everyone.

The Council will vote on the bill on Wednesday.