Restoring Driver's License Access To Immigrants: Panel Planned

WAINSCOTT, NY — A panel discussion will be held Wednesday on the issue of restoring access to drivers' licenses for immigrants.

The event, sponsored by Organización Latino-Americana of Eastern Long Island and Green Light NY, takes place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at LTV Studios, located 75 Industrial Road in Wainscott. Those attending are asked to arrive at 6:45 p.m. for check in.

Speakers on the televised panel will include New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele, East Hampton pediatrician Dr. Gail Schonfeld, East Hampton business owner Barbara Layton, and Sandra González, a 20-year East Hampton resident.

Issues discussed will include restoring drivers' license access to immigrant drivers and "important changes to New York drivers' licenses," organizers said.

Co-sponsors include Progressive East End Reformers, Neighbors in Support of Immigration, Centro Corazon de Maria and the North Fork Unity Action Committee.

Call 631-899-3441 or email olaexecdir@gmail.com to confirm attendance.

"OLA is doing quite a bit of advocacy and other work around this drivers' license bill," said OLA Executive Director Minerva Perez. "It’s really the crux of the issue that is compounding fears and ruining lives. Simply because driving on eastern Long Island is a necessity not a luxury."

In March, a crowd took to the streets in Riverhead in a gathering attended by immigrant advocacy groups from across Long Island in support of drivers' licenses for all.

According to the Green Light NY: Driving Together coalition, the goal is to expand access to drivers' licenses to all New Yorkers, "regardless of immigration status." The coalition's website includes a petition, for those who want to show their support "for immigrant rights and safer roads in New York State."

Green Light NY points out that currently, there are 12 states nationwide that already offer licenses to undocumented drivers.

"New York is falling behind California and Washington and our neighbors Connecticut and Vermont as a national leader on immigrant rights," the group said, adding that "access to drivers' license are urgently needed. Without licenses, immigrants cannot drive to work or buy groceries or take their children to school or the hospital. When immigrants don't have access to licenses, a routine traffic stop can lead to deportation and the separation of families. Moreover, extended licenses to immigrants will make our roads safer and lead to a stronger New York economy."

According to a post by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the Driver's License Access and Privacy Act, often called the Green Light bill, would make licenses available to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status and could help 265,000 individuals statewide obtain licenses.

The NYCLU said the licenses are critical because any encounter with police for immigrants without government issued-ID can lead to arrest or even deportation. Proponents of the bill also say that providing licenses would make roads safer and allow all drivers to be insured.

And, said the NYCLU, licensing drivers can prove a boon to the economy statewide, with the Fiscal Policy institute estimating that the move could mean a $57 million annual revenue infusion and $27 million in one-time revenue.

Sister MaryBeth Moore, who works for the Centro Corazon De Maria in Hampton Bays and is the chairperson of Neighbors in Support of Immigrants on the South Fork, said she also believes the new legislation would mean safer roadways for all. "Everyone will have a license and insurance — and understand the rules," Moore said. "We think it's a win-win for everyone."

Moore said roadblocks to the legislation could exist: New York State Senator Ken LaValle, she . said, "has said his constituents are not interested. We think he does not have up to date information for 2019."

LaValle did not immediately respond to a request for comment but his spokesman told News 12 in a past interview that he opposed giving drivers' licenses for anyone in the country illegally.

"A lot of people complain that there are people driving with no licenses, and say that it's a disgrace, without fully understanding that they can't get a license — they're barred," Moore said. "If this goes through there will be people lined up around the corner of the DMV."

Moore said, with the New York State Legislature in session until June, it's very important to make the issue a budget priority, with both House and Senate votes critical. "We think it's doable, if the Senate and Assembly wake up to the importance of this," Moore said.

Although Sister Margaret Smyth of the North Fork Spanish Apostolate, who has long supported drivers' licenses for immigrants, could not be reached for comment due to illness, a representative of her staff said their organization believes that it is "absolutely important" to allow for licenses for all, so all could be insured. No insurance in the event of an accident, she said, "is a very bad thing."

Isabel Sepulveda, a longtime immigration advocate on the East End, also spoke to Patch: "Licenses are a must," she said, adding that studying for the test and learning about road safety were important and being able to obtain insurance, critical. "For safety reasons, this is a must," she said.