In response to President Donald J. Trump’s threats to escalate ICE deportations of undocumented immigrants, frustrated and impatient advocates and state legislators – including Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37) and Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36) – today at the statehouse called for expanded access to NJ driver’s licenses.

The advocates want legislative leadership to move A-4743, which creates two categories of driver’s licenses and identification cards; allows residents unable to prove lawful presence in US to receive permits, and standard driver’s licenses or identification cards; permits MVC to increase certain fees.

“It’s time to send a message in New Jersey,” said Vainieri Huttle, who hailed the presence of Governor Phil Murphy in the state, noting that she was sure he would sign the bill into law.

“This is not a discussion about what is going on at the border, but what is going on within the border of this great country,” said Schaer.

The bill would directly impact 220,000 people in New Jersey, he said. The senate president and assembly speaker have listened, he noted.

“Let me thank them for their willingness to listen, but there comes a time when there needs to be more than discussion,” Schaer said. “We need Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Sweeney to join with us here, and yes, the agendas are full but this needs to get done, and every day that passes is another day of opportunity lost.”

As the days dwindle to the end of month budget deadline, the advocates did acknowledge a lack of will among leaders in the legislature to post the bill.

Other advocates who lent their voices to the effort:

Wind of the Spirit

Faith in New Jersey

Make the Road New Jersey

Assemblyman Raj Mukerji

Assemblywoman Annette Quijano

A video of today’s press press conference can be accessed here.