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December 17, 2019

New York & New Jersey Move to Issue Licenses to Undocumented Residents
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Here in New York, thousands of undocumented people waited in lines at
Department of Motor Vehicles Monday to apply for a driver's license -
marking a major victory for immigrant rights. New York Governor Andrew
Cuomo signed the Green Light Law in June, which allows people to apply
for a driver's license using alternative forms of identification,
instead of providing a Social Security number. Meanwhile, in the
neighboring state of New Jersey, legislators also passed a bill Monday
to allow undocumented people to apply for driver's licenses, following
emotional testimonies at the state Assembly last week. Among those to
testify was a 9-year-old New Jersey resident named David.

David: "We need these licenses because there's cold weather, snow. And
then, when the snow gets higher, we're not going to be able to walk. You
can call this community a 'great community' when we need licenses?
Licenses can help our children go to a better - go to school and learn.
Because my parents don't have a license, that's why I barely go to
school. And I came here today because I support the licenses."

On Monday, as New Jersey lawmakers approved the bill to grant
undocumented people driver's licenses, supporters erupted in cheers and
chants of "Sí, se pudo" - "yes, we could." New Jersey Governor Phil
Murphy has already said he will sign the legislation into law.


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