Letter To The Editor: Drivers Licenses For All New Yorkers

To the Editor:

I urge all New Yorkers to support and demand passage of legislation that provides equal access to driver’s licenses for all residents of New York State, regardless of immigration status.

It’s a matter of public safety.

Public safety would be improved by: establishing a driver’s identity and driving record to police officers, safer routine traffic stops, better cooperation/relationships with police, and better and safer drivers.

The current bills pending in the NYS Assembly and Senate would create a limited use license that would allow people to drive legally. This license could not to be used to: board an airplane, apply for government benefits, vote, or work in the U.S. legally.

New York should join twelve states and the District of Columbia in passing similar legislation to allow undocumented residents the opportunity to be tested, trained, licensed and insured. New Mexico, Washington and Utah - states with the longest implementation of similar laws - have seen a reduction in accidents that involved unlicensed drivers. Utah has seen undocumented immigrants get insurance almost at the same rate as those with regular licenses. California has seen a significant decrease in hit and run accidents.

Driver’s licenses for all New Yorkers makes all New Yorkers safer.

Sincerely,

Mary Cronin

SJ & Immigration Committee

CCoHOPE Indivisible