Partners For Women And Justice Announces Support For The Lets Drive NJ Campaign To Expand Access to Drivers Licenses to More Residents

Partners for Women and Justice (Partners) is pleased to announce its support for the Let’s Drive NJ Campaign to enable eligible New Jersey residents to obtain a driver’s license without regard to their immigration status. Partners provides free legal representation to victims of domestic violence, including undocumented immigrants, who are seeking civil restraining orders and related assistance in family law matters.

Immigrant women are especially vulnerable to domestic violence because of their immigration status, language and cultural barriers, social isolation, limited financial resources, and lack of valid identification, all of which can reinforce victims’ dependence on their abusers. Access to a driver’s license can foster independence and empower victims to leave their abusers in the following ways:

• A license is a universally recognized form of identification that can enable victims to benefit from community services, open a bank account, and interact with the police with greater confidence.
• The ability to drive is directly linked to independence in the Garden State. The keys to the car can thus become the engine of self-sufficiency, and, ultimately, family safety.
• Victims who can drive can more easily access domestic violence services, counseling, legal counsel, and the courts and make informed decisions to better protect themselves and their children.

For these reasons, Partners supports the expansion of access to drivers licenses for New Jersey residents who can prove their residency, identity, and their driving ability. We urge NJ legislative leadership to prioritize bill A4743/S3229 by posting the bill for a vote as soon as possible.

Partners for Women and Justice empowers low-income survivors of domestic violence to build safe and secure futures for themselves and their children. We offer quality legal assistance in domestic violence and family law matters and work with the courts to ensure equal access to justice for all, including litigants who do not speak English.  Our programs of free legal assistance focus on family court proceedings involving restraining orders, child and spousal support, visitation and custody.

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