New York politicians push legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver's license

Jose Peralta

As reported by the Daily News:

The number of deported immigrants under President Obama is approaching the 2 million mark and immigration reform has become once again no more than a rapidly-fading illusion. Yet, here in New York, some politicians and community leaders are working to alleviate the immigrants’ situation by allowing the undocumented to legally apply for a driver’s license.

“A driver’s license will provide undocumented immigrants much more employment flexibility,” said state Sen. José Peralta who, along with Sen. Adriano Espaillat and with the support of Make the Road New York and other community groups, introduced legislation last October to provide undocumented New Yorkers access to driver’s licenses. Espaillat had introduced a similar bill before that would have granted driving privileges only to DREAMers.

“My bill includes everyone and Espaillat supports it,” Peralta said.

Although not on the original list of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Conference 10 priorities for 2014, made public in November, Peralta says he was reassured his bill would be added to the list.

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