By Dan Murphy
As the State Legislature considers a bill that would grant undocumented immigrants access to state driver’s licenses, the debate has now come into Westchester. The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act would allow for all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status, to obtain driver’s license at the Department of Motor Vehicles.
A large group of pro-immigrant advocates rallied in Albany last month to seek passage to the legislation.
“It will be a great step for New York’s immigrants, who will be able to drive to and from work, open bank accounts, buy car insurance, and be less fearful when reporting crimes,” said Steven Choi, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition. “We are expecting to collaborate with the state and our governor on the work that remains to be done with great interest.”
The pro-immigrant advocates cited the following estimates:
The bill would raise $57 million in DMV fees and sales and gas taxes, and $26 million in one-time revenues. The Green Light NY coalition supports the measure, which would give all New Yorkers – including undocumented immigrants – the right to apply for driver’s permits and licenses. The bill is also known as the Green Light Bill.
Currently, 12 states and Washington, D.C., permit all residents to apply for driver’s licenses without checking their immigration status.
The Yonkers City Council passed a resolution supporting the Green Light Bill on May 22 by a 4-3 margin, with four Democrats voting “yes” and three Republicans voting “no.” Councilwoman Corazon Pineda-Isaac, who introduced the resolution and who has been an unwavering supporter of immigrant rights, said the issuance of driver’s licenses to all who pass the DMV exam and road test would ensure safer streets, increase revenue for the state, and lead to a better quality of life for those residents who have to drive to and from work, take their kids to school, and drive loved ones to hospitals.
“Although the responsibility to pass the Green Light Bill falls with New York State, the passing of this resolution at the city level demonstrates a show of support and commitment from our elected officials for all of our city’s residents,” said Pineda-Isaac. The Council Chambers were full of supporters, including members of the Yonkers Sanctuary Movement and Obreros Unidos de Yonkers, a day laborer organization in Yonkers.
According to Diana Sanchez of the Yonkers Sanctuary Movement: “Yonkers witnessed the resilience of the people through their stories, and the Yonkers Sanctuary Movement is grateful now more than ever that the City Council listened to their community and their needs by passing (a resolution in support of) the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act.”
Opponents to the Green Light Bill included Yonkers Councilmembers Mike Breen (minority leader), John Rubbo and Anthony Merante. All three Republicans said that a driver’s license is also a form of secure identification and they had concerns about anyone and everyone obtaining a license and then using it to get on a plane.
“You have to be a legal resident to get a driver’s license,” said Breen.
One of the speakers at the council meeting was a taxi driver from Yonkers who had been driving for 20 years without a license. He said he would be happy that he could now obtain a driver’s license.
