Patrick vetoes car registration proposal

BOSTON (WWLP) - Governor Patrick put a stop to a car registration proposal that he called "flawed."

The proposal would've required anyone looking to register a car in Massachusetts to provide proof of legal U.S. residency.     

Patrick vetoed it claiming it was using the Registry of Motor Vehicles as an agent to identify undocumented residents. He instead proposed an amended version to require drivers to prove they live in Massachusetts.

Marc Solitario of West Springfield told 22News, “I would assume that the state has the first duty with issues of the RMV, so anything else federal government should check citizenship in a different way.”

Dave Berwald, also of West Springfield, said, “It's another way of finding out who's here illegally and not. Homeland Security, there's a lot of terrorism out there. Anything to protect this country is ok with me.”

The residency language was part of a broader measure that would've allowed motor vehicle applicants to identify themselves using a social security number or other identification card.