Good morning Mr. Chairman and members, my name is Andrew Rivas and I am the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference. The TCC is the statewide association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses in our state and it is our responsibility to advocate for the public policy positions of the active Bishops of Texas.

First, let me begin by thanking you Mr. Chairman, and the committee, for allowing me to testify today on Senate Bill 586. The TCC supports this bill because it proposes to improve access to identification for immigrants currently in our state. Recently the Public Safety Commission adopted new rules without legislative authority concerning the issuance of drivers’ licenses and identification cards to non-citizens. Creating more obstacles to obtaining a driver’s license increases the chance that people will drive without a license.  More unlicensed drivers means more uninsured drivers, which carries with it negative public safety and financial consequences for all Texans.

Identification documents are the first tool for law enforcement to track possible suspects, and we should be looking for effective ways to help law enforcement achieve their stated purpose of making our communities more secure and law-abiding. Current restrictions on acceptable identification cause immigrants to avoid contact with state and local law enforcement. This means that immigrants are unwilling to report crimes and assist local law enforcement in community policing activities. This decreases community trust and undermines efforts to fight crime and save lives.

The TCC supports SB 586 because adding a current passport to the list of acceptable written instruments that can be used to identify individuals will help in the effort of making our communities more secure and law-abiding.