Committees in both the Senate and Assembly Vote in favor of Expanding Acess to Drivers Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants and other Vulnerable Communities

Immigrant families and allies packed the committee hearing rooms to witness a historic committee vote which clears pending legislation for a floor votes next week

Trenton, NJ – After 2 years since it was launched, the “Driving Without Fear” campaign, has reached a crucial moment. Earlier today, the Senate Transportation Committee and Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee voted to move the bill forward and that along with the Assembly Judiciary Committee vote, have cleared A4743/S3229 for floor votes next week.

Throughout the course of the campaign, immigrant parents, workers and allies have marched, protested, risked arrest and held hunger strikes all with the hopes that someday they can finally drive without fear that they would be unjustly pulled over, given fines, court citations or even worse be separated from their families.

“As an immigrant mother, I am happy the committees have moved the Driver’s Licenses bill forward.  In 2011, my son was deported and I have been living with the fear that I would also be separated from my family.  Having access to a driver’s licenses would give me peace of mind and would protect me from deportation. The legislators will have the opportunity to vote in favor of this bill on Monday and I want to remind them that for many years, politicians have promised us access to driver’s licenses and over the last 2 years immigrant families and their allies have taken action to make this a reality.  The immigrant community is only asking for the opportunity to drive legally like the rest of the residents of NJ. We work hard everyday to sustain our families and our labor provides the foundation that makes NJ a diverse and vibrant state” said Norma Morales, immigrant mother and leader with Cosecha New Jersey.

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Movimiento Cosecha is a national immigrant rights organization fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect for all immigrants regardless of immigration status.

Cosecha New Jersey has been leading the fight to expand access to Driver’s Licenses for 500,000 undocumented immigrants in NJ