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Dear Eastsiders,
Beginning October 1st, more of our neighbors will be able to earn a driver’s license regardless of immigration status as a result of legislation we passed early this year. This law reverses the short-sighted 2003 law prohibiting those without U.S. citizenship status from obtaining a driver’s license in Minnesota. The measure was a knee-jerk reaction implemented by the Pawlenty administration post-9/11.
 Our communities are safer when drivers have an opportunity to legally learn the rules of the road. Without driver’s licenses, it’s difficult for tens of thousands of Minnesotans to reliably get to their jobs, school, and medical appointments -all essential parts of our daily lives in order to provide and care for ourselves and our families.
This email is meant to serve as a tool-kit to help answer questions and provide resources, in order to restore dignity to our neighbors who had this privilege taken away two decades ago.
 The Minnesota Department of Driver Vehicle Services has a wide variety of information on its website, including step-by-step guides in multiple languages outlining what is needed to take the written test and behind-the-wheel test, and how to schedule those appointments.
Everything You Need to Know About Driver's Licenses for All
SPANISH VIDEO PLAYLIST
HMONG VIDEO PLAYLIST
SOMALI VIDEO PLAYLIST
ENGLISH VIDEO PLAYLIST
Additional Resources
Unidos MN - Hosts informational meetings: "Everything You Need to Know About Driver's Licenses for All." Call 612-231-9719 or email [email protected]. Spanish audio of the driver's license manual and other resources are available at https://unidos-mn.org/licencias
COPAL of Minnesota - Español study groups are available for the driver's knowledge (written) test - call 612-427-2011.
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) - https://www.ilcm.org/drivers-licenses-for-all/
MN Immigrant Movement (MIM) - Hosts Saturday driver's license manual classes in Español - call 612-246-1149
Oromia 11 - Oromo Community call 612-345-7172 or email [email protected]
Keep in Touch
As always, my office is here to assist and help answer questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to let me know how I can help.
It’s an honor to work for our Eastsiders at the State Capitol.
In solidarity,
Jay Xiong
State Representative
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