ELIZABETH — A bill that will let immigrants who cannot prove they’re in the country legally get a driver’s license was signed Thursday by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
Murphy,
a Democrat, signed the measure in Elizabeth, making New Jersey the 14th
state, along with the District of Columbia, to permit immigrants
without legal status to obtain a driver’s licenses.
“Expanding
access to driver’s licenses is critical for the safety of New Jerseyans
and a step toward building a stronger and fairer New Jersey for all,”
Murphy said.
Murphy signed the bill just days after the Democrat-led Legislature sent the measure to his desk.
Murphy signed the bill just days after the Democrat-led Legislature sent the measure to his desk.
A 2018 study
from New Jersey Policy Perspective, a progressive think tank, estimated
about nearly 500,000 residents without documentation are of driving age
in New Jersey.
The legislation
sets up a two-tiered driver’s license system. One license would conform
to federal REAL ID requirements that include proof of legal residency.
Another license would permit people without a legal status to obtain a
license. Both categories of license will require individuals to submit
six points of identification
The bill has gotten vocal support from
immigrants rights groups, who lined the corridors of the statehouse and
cheered loudly when the measure passed.
They say the measure could increase safety because many immigrants without legal documentation already drive without licenses and insurance. They also argue that obtaining a license would help people work and provide for their loved ones.
Among
the supporters is Motor Vehicles Commissioner Sue Fulton, who cited a
study by AAA that indicated unlicensed drivers were more likely to flee
the scene of an accident than those with licenses.
The
new law also requires Fulton to set up a two-year public awareness
campaign about the availability of both types of licenses, as well as
the requirements to obtain them.
****Opponents
of the new law worry the measure rewards people for breaking the law
and could lead to voter fraud because voter registration occurs when
obtaining a license.*****
https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/state/n-j-enacts-law-letting-immigrants-without-docs-get-license/article_4b053973-091e-5f0c-9a9c-49628836234b.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest
https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/state/n-j-enacts-law-letting-immigrants-without-docs-get-license/article_4b053973-091e-5f0c-9a9c-49628836234b.html#tncms-source=infinity-scroll-summary-siderail-latest
1 comment:
Murphy is setting himself up for 2020. New Jersey is finished. If you have young children, get out now.In fact,talk your parents,aunts,uncles,nieces and nephews,friends and neighbors into moving out with you.
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