This week, prayerfully consider adding a pink stripe to your driver's license, in solidarity with DACA immigrants and in protest of the NCDOT policy. - from the Social Justice Ministry
What is the pink stripe? The NC Department of Transportation has decided to offer a driver’s license to undocumented immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The new license has a pink stripe and the bold words “NO LAWFUL STATUS.”
To be qualified for the DACA program, the immigrants must be younger than 30 and have graduated from high school or are currently in school or be an honorably discharged veteran; they can't have been convicted of any serious criminal offense. If they qualify, they can apply for a Social Security card and be legally employed in the US. The US Department of Homeland Security has said it is up to officials in each state to decide whether to issue DACA participants a driver’s license.”1 The NC Department of Motor Vehicles requested an opinion from NC Attorney General Roy Cooper. In January “Cooper wrote that while these immigrants don't have legal ‘status,’ they are lawfully present. Thus, the DMV must issue a driver's license ‘of limited duration,’ to this group of immigrants who have valid documentation and meet other legal requirements.”2
The pink stripe and “NO LAWFUL STATUS” is the NC Department of Motor Vehicles compromise to promote driving safety, to allow DACA program participants to drive legally, and to respond to pressure from those who object to the DACA program. NCDMV’s proposed license has been approved by Governor Pat McCrory. Licenses are not yet being issued and there is a move in the NC legislature to delay implementation to give legislators an opportunity to block issuing licenses to DACA participants.
Why is Social Justice Ministry recommending I add a pink stripe to my license?
For several years, the Social Justice Ministry has been seeking to understand and act on the challenges faced by undocumented North Carolinians, and by the United States in deciding how to respond to their presence among us. We are informed by the wisdom of the scriptures which charges us to welcome the stranger. We seek to follow the example of Jesus and of the early church who extended the good news and the beloved community without regard to nationality.
However one interprets the potential citizenship of undocumented immigrants, that pink stripe creates privilege and shame, and increases the possibility that a whole people will live under suspicion. Our faith, again and again, reassures us and challenges us that we are all children of God, brothers and sisters. We choose not to allow the government of North Carolina to divide us.
Last week we learned that United Church of Chapel Hill had joined with Iglesia Unida de Chapel Hill and the Durham-based Judea Reform Congregation to invite members to add a pink stripe to their licenses. Where the state of North Carolina seeks to divide us with this proposed license, this creative action allows us to choose to cross that boundary and blurr the distinction.
Things to consider before I add the stripe
· Are there legal implications for adding the stripe? United Church of Chapel Hill’s legal advisor found no statute which indicates we are breaking a law as long as we don’t cover any of the information on the license. However, in the absence of precedent, we can’t guarantee there won’t be legal ramifications.
· Be prepared. Prepare a simple sentence to explain your decision to those who will see your license. At your bank or check out line? A traffic stop? The airport? These interactions are your opportunity to educate others. You might find yourself delayed, so allow extra time.
· Multiply the effect. Adding a stripe to your license has limited impact if no one knows you’ve done it. Here are ways we’ve thought of spreading the word.
- o When you pick up your stripe, sign a letter to Governor McCrory and to your legislators.
- o If you use Facebook, share CUCC’s post with your friends and invite them to join you. Like the post on the United Church of Chapel Hill page, too. Post a note on the page for Pat McCrory (government official).
- o If you use email, invite friends to add pink stripes to their licenses.
On Sunday, we'll have letters to Governor McCrory and our legislators for you to sign. Letter text -
Today we have added a pink strip to our North Carolina driver’s licenses.
However one interprets the potential citizenship of undocumented immigrants, that pink stripe creates privilege and shame, and increases the possibility that a whole people will live under suspicion.
Our faith, again and again, reassures us and challenges us that we are all children of God, brothers and sisters. We choose not to allow you to divide us.
We urge you to seek solutions to the immigration dilemma that do not stigmatize and divide.
Resources used for the background information in this article
1 “Pink stripe on NC illegal immigrant licenses eyed,”Michael Biesecker, Associated Press, Fri, Feb 22, 2013 http://news.yahoo.com/pink-stripe-nc-illegal-immigrant-licenses-eyed-204800831.html
2 “Roy Cooper to DMV: Some undocumented immigrants can be issued driver's licenses,”
Lisa Sorg, Thurs, Jan 17, 2013 at 1:30PM http://www.indyweek.com/triangulator/archives/2013/01/17/roy-cooper-to-dmv-some-undocumented-immigrants-can-be-issued-drivers-licenses
3 “Religious leaders protest license markings,” Ray Gronberg, Sun Mar 3, 2013 at 6:39PM