Colin Bonini on Immigration

Only vote against driver licenses for illegal immigrants

The vote was 17-1, with Sen. Colin Bonini casting the only no vote. Bonini said the legislation is unfair to legal immigrants "who are waiting in line, lawfully and legally, to get into this country."

"We're asking Delaware taxpayers to pay half a million dollars for services for illegal immigrants," Bonini said in testimony on the Senate floor.

Don't allow driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants

NBC-10 summary (7/1/15): The measure allows driving privilege cards to be issued to people who are in the country illegally and who have filed Delaware state income tax returns for the preceding two years, or who have lived in Delaware and been claimed as a dependent on a state income tax return.

WGBH (Boston NPR) Pro&Con(10/6/22): PRO: In states that have implemented similar laws, hit-and-run accidents have decreased significantly; law enforcement officials have endorsed the [policy] for this reason.

CON: The Registry of Motor Vehicles has no authority under any federal constitution or federal law to grant legitimacy to people who are otherwise in the country illegally.

Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 17-1-3 on Jun/23/15; Sen. Bonini voted NO; passed House 22-15-4 on Jun/30/15; signed by Gov. Markell on Jun/30/15.