State Determinants of Drivers’ Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Keywords

drivers' licenses, undocumented immigrants, immigration policy, indocumentados, public safety

Department

Political Science

Major

Political Science and English

Abstract

In 1993, the state of Washington became the first state to officially allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses. As of March 2015, there were a total of ten states that passed similar policies. Through a quantitative approach, this study gathers data between 1990 and 2014 across all fifty states in the U.S. to understand which variables (i.e. race, education, economics, etc.) might drive state legislatures to adopt or reject drivers’ licenses laws for undocumented immigrants. Because this study’s quantitative approach is the first of its kind, its analyses and results may provide helpful, substantive information to immigration policy researchers and pro-immigrant rights groups.

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Joel Fetzer

Funding Source or Research Program

Political Science Honors Program

Presentation Session

Session A

Location

Plaza Classroom 189

Start Date

3-4-2015 4:45 PM

End Date

3-4-2015 5:00 PM

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Apr 3rd, 4:45 PM Apr 3rd, 5:00 PM

State Determinants of Drivers’ Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

Plaza Classroom 189

In 1993, the state of Washington became the first state to officially allow undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses. As of March 2015, there were a total of ten states that passed similar policies. Through a quantitative approach, this study gathers data between 1990 and 2014 across all fifty states in the U.S. to understand which variables (i.e. race, education, economics, etc.) might drive state legislatures to adopt or reject drivers’ licenses laws for undocumented immigrants. Because this study’s quantitative approach is the first of its kind, its analyses and results may provide helpful, substantive information to immigration policy researchers and pro-immigrant rights groups.