The New Jersey State Assembly and Senate Vote in Favor of Legislation to Expand Access to Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants and other Vulnerable Communities

Hundreds of Immigrant Families took over the State House to witness a historic vote which would allow them to Drive Legally in New Jersey

Trenton, NJ – After 2 years since it was launched, the “Driving Without Fear” campaign, has reached its goal. Earlier today the State Senate and Assembly voted in favor of pending legislation which would allow undocumented immigrants and other vulnerable communities to have access to a driver’s licenses.  The bills A4743/S3229 are expected to be signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy who has repeatedly asked the state legislature to move them forward

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.  Today, after a 2-year long campaign, the right to drive without fear is closer than ever before

“Today is one of the happiest days of my life.  As an immigrant mother, I am empowered by the actions that immigrant families and allies have taken to make this a reality.  The driver’s license bill has been pending legislation and a promise that was made to our community many years ago. Today we celebrate the countless rallies, protests and actions that created awareness in the public and that compelled legislators to finally make this a reality.  This would not have been possible without the hard working immigrant parents and their families who led this campaign. Today we won driver’s licenses for over 500,000 undocumented immigrants and other vulnerable communities who will be able to share NJ’s roads and be treated with dignity and respect.  The fight is far from over, in NJ we will inform our community to that immigrant families feel safe in the process of obtaining a licenses and at the federal level, we will keep organizing so that immigrant families can finally win permanent protection.” said Norma Morales, Cosecha leader and immigrant mother.

“Today is the day that I can finally drive without fear.  This legislation means that I can take my kids to school, go to work and go to hospitals with peace of mind.  For many years, parents like me had to live our daily lives with fears that we would be unjustly pulled over, fined, given court dates or even worse, be separated from our families all because we are not allowed to drive legally in NJ – this ends today. “  said Caritina Hernandez, COsecha leader and immigrant mother

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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