Peralta On Ball Statement

Statement From State Senator Jose Peralta

"Senator Ball’s overheated anti-immigrant rhetoric stands in stark contrast with the view of many in law enforcement.

"Senator Ball seems not to be aware that municipal IDs have been used for years in cities from New Haven, Connecticut, to San Francisco, California, where they have greatly improved cooperation between immigrant communities and law enforcement.

"He also seems unaware that all immigrant driver’s licenses, including the one I have proposed in New York and those already in place in 11 states and Washington D.C., must be clearly distinguishable and meet with the approval of the Department of Homeland Security.

"With municipal ID’s and driver’s licenses, undocumented immigrants today would be able to better provide for their families, contribute more to the economy and fully integrate into the American mainstream, just as generations of immigrants to this country have before them.

"Lumping these hard-working immigrants in with terrorists is the worst kind of irresponsible."

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