密歇根新闻广播 外国司机提供合法证明可在密歇根开车

It began with a concern raised by some Michigan companies: Some foreign visitors can't drive with their foreign driver's licenses¹, particularly those from China.

Could something be done in Lansing to clear the way for a Chinese executive visiting, say, Dow Chemical, to drive on his or her own?

The result was Senate Bill 501.

Its first reading was a straightforward² fix that would allow foreign business visitors to drive in Michigan.

But as it moved to the second of three readings, something new was added: a requirement that the driver carry legal documentation to verify his or her legal presence in Michigan.

Some are worried that the bill is a dangerous step towards racial profiling, along the lines of Arizona's 2012 "show me your papers" law.

Susan Reed, an attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, testified as neutral before the Senate on behalf of the Michigan Coalition³ for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. She tells us the original bill included some vague language regarding valid⁴ visitor visas that could lead to complications further down the line.

"I just made it clear in my testimony⁵ at that time that I would discourage wandering into that very complex territory of verifying legal status," she says.

Despite her warning, Reed says it became clear that it was the intention to add the requirement that legal presence be verified for foreign drivers.

Noel Garcia is the chair of the Michigan Hispanic Latino Commission and a retired⁶ Lansing police officer.

Garcia is concerned about the burden this bill would place on law enforcement.

"The big concern is roadside legal presence," Garcia says. "When I see 'roadside legal presence' I see that as a challenge to law enforcement."

He tells us law enforcement officers are "absolutely not" trained to verify legal presence at a roadside stop, a concern that the bill does not address.

"To be able to identify 75 different types of visas, to be able to walk away from that roadside traffic stop and say, 'OK, I have confirmed legal presence,' is a burden that I think is putting on law enforcement," he says.

Secretary of State spokesman Fred Woodhams explains there are individuals in Michigan, particularly family members of foreign nationals with work permits, who don't have the ability to drive legally.

"The intent of the legislation was to help those people out and find a way to allow them to drive because they're not residents in Michigan," Woodhams says. "We're continuing to work with our legislative⁷ partners to make Michigan friendly to visitors, students and business people, while also ensuring everyone on the roadway is driving safely and will face driving penalties when they're not."

1 licenses   

n.执照( license的名词复数 )v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Drivers have ten days' grace to renew their licenses. 驾驶员更换执照有10天的宽限期。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jewish firms couldn't get import or export licenses or raw materials. 犹太人的企业得不到进出口许可证或原料。 来自辞典例句

2 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

3 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

4 valid   

adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的

参考例句：

• His claim to own the house is valid.他主张对此屋的所有权有效。
• Do you have valid reasons for your absence?你的缺席有正当理由吗？

5 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

7 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。