Sunflower Community Action organized hundreds of immigrants in January to rally at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka in support of a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants obtain driver’s licenses.
Despite 4-degree freezing weather, people around the state took buses and drove to Topeka to show their support for the bill. About 1,000 people marched from a nearby church to the statehouse.
The marchers gathered on the steps of the statehouse to listen to testimony from Sunflower leaders.

“We came here to help build this country, not destroy it,” said NPA co-chair Emira Palacios.

After the rally, attendees packed the first floor of the state house and delivered over 700 signed thank-you cards to the governor’s office. The cards read, “Governor Sebelius, you are going to make Kansas a safer, more secure state for all the people. You see how important immigrant contributions are to this state.”

The bill would create a temporary license for undocumented immigrants and improve safety on Kansas roads and highways. It has already passed in the Kansas House of Representatives last year, but it is currently stalled in the Senate.

Joan Wagon, secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue, said the department’s role is not to enforce immigration laws but to ensure driver safety.

“It is in the best interest of the public that all drivers be licensed without regard to their immigration status,” she said.

Unlicensed drivers can’t buy insurance, which endangers all drivers.
Sunflower has found many allies for their fight including Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas Catholic Conference and law enforcement officials.

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