New Jersey State Permits Illegals to Get Driving License

Margarita Rodriguez of Passaic took a bus to Trenton Monday morning — she wanted to be there when lawmakers voted on a bill that would allow her and other immigrants without legal status to get driver's licenses.

Фото: Depositphotos

The New Jersey Assembly and Senate passed the bill by separate vote on Monday afternoon, sending it to Governor Phil Murphy, who already said he would sign it, writes Northjersey. Numerous supporters, who filled all the free places around, burst into applause.

Rodriguez could not remember how many times she had come to Trenton over the past two years to show her support for the bill.

“We want our representatives to know that we are here, that we need this,” she said in Spanish. “We still have the right to live with dignity and respect.” Like everyone else, we work here and pay taxes.”

The bill provides for the creation of two types of driver’s licenses: one complies with federal Real ID rules that allow people access to federal buildings and aircraft, the second is a standard state license that can only be used for identification and driving.

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While opponents expressed concern that the bill would lead to fraud with voters, lawyers presented it as a public safety measure that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain licenses and car insurance.

“This brings us one step closer to providing coverage for all vehicles and drivers, creating safe roads for all New Jerseyans,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

Republican senators opposed the bill, saying it provides protection for criminals and immigrants who violate the law.

“We cannot allow New Jersey to be a weak link in our nation's security,” said Senator Mike Testa.

Over the first three years, the bill is expected to generate $ 21 million in revenue in the form of fees for issuing permits and a driver’s license.

Individuals applying for a standard license will have to comply with the same six-point identity verification system that is currently used by the Motor Vehicle Commission, but only one document must be presented confirming that they live in the state , not two.

This measure includes provisions to protect the information of immigrants who do not have legal status and receive standard licenses. Personal information received by the automobile commission will not be a government record and cannot be disclosed for federal immigration purposes without the consent of a person, a warrant from a judge or other subpoena or court order, the bill says.

About 450 undocumented immigrants live in New Jersey, and about 000 residents will receive a driver’s license under the bill in the first three years.

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These numbers include women with children, such as Rodriguez, who moved from Mexico 18 years ago. Rodriguez works nights in the transport warehouse of an Internet company. According to her, since she cannot get a driver’s license, she cannot get to her son’s football matches to cheer him up. But public transport and taxis take a lot of money.

Since she cannot get a driver’s license, she relies on buses to get to medical facilities, even when her family’s health is at stake. She has to take her young son with a chronic illness to hospitals by bus, which sometimes takes about two hours.

“Having a driver’s license is not a luxury, but a necessity,” Rodriguez said. “This is a huge win for our community.”

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