Immigrant ID bill moves to house floor

More than 3,000 supporters of immigrant rights gathered for several hours today, in protest of an interim Transportation Committee hearing on legislation that will require proof of legal residence before obtaining a driver's license in Oregon.

The commitee room was filled to capacity, and 2 televisions were set up in overflow rooms that were also filled to capacity. More than 200 people signed up to give testimony, including people who were unable to testify at a previous hearing.

The overwhelming majority of testimony was given by migrant workers, people who do business with immigrant families, and other supporters, who included pastors and others from the faith community.

Here is a sampling of the testimony:

"History will judge us. In 10 years, when our children can vote, we won't have this problem, but today we have this problem. I urge you to think of those children as you work on this." - Deacon Diege Lopez Espinoza

"Ths will affect the farm labor, who will not be able to go to work. They harvest the food that you representatives consume. The people who sew your clothes and clean your your yards, they need a driver's license to take themselves and their children to the doctor.

These people are the ones doing the jobs that people with documents are unwilling or unable to do. But they can collaborate with those who have documents to make sure that this is a progressive state. I want you to give licenses to people who pay taxes and who are hard working. They are not criminals." - Marta Lopez, hotel worker

Representative Peter Buckley, a member of the committee, appealed to people in attendance to try to help legislators amend the bill to mitigate the negative impacts of the legislation, which he said was "moving on rails", and will pass during the special legislative session.

The committee voted unanimously to move the bill, though representatives Buckley and Tomei both expressed their probable opposition when the bill comes to the floor. 7 committee members were in attendance, though State Senator Gary George left shortly after the vote. Rep Beyer and Senator Metsger were co-chairs.