Undocumented immigrants are already driving on New Jersey's roads, so why not give them a chance to get a driver's license so they can insure and register their vehicles?
That's the viewpoint of a handful of state legislators who on Tuesday announced they have introduced a bill that would let undocumented immigrants apply for a license. They argue it'll make the state's roadways safer for everybody and support the Garden State economy.
"We can't ignore the reality that undocumented immigrants are on the roads now, going to work, driving their children to school and doing the routine activities that all families do," said state Sen. Joseph Vitale, one of the bill's sponsors.
"If they don't have a driver's license, don't have insurance and are driving a vehicle that isn't registered, it creates a hazard on the road," Vitale, D-Middlesex, said.
"If you get in an accident with them, the damage may not be covered. This will improve roadway safety, be good for the economy and allow undocumented residents to support themselves and their families."
Similar legislation has already been introduced. But the new bill (A4743/S3229) is tied to a separate measure that affects every New Jerseyan who already has a license and who boards a flight for vacation or work.
In addition to allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain a "standard license," the measure would create a federally-compliant Real ID license. Federal officials will only accept Garden State licenses at airports for another year.
After that, Jersey and other states need to come into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, which was passed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks.
New Jersey drivers will need a Real ID by October 2019 to fly domestically. If they don't have one by then, they'll need to pack a passport in their luggage.
Undocumented immigrants wouldn't be able to obtain a Real ID. Rather, the legislation would create two categories of driver's licenses and identification cards.
"There are countless undocumented immigrants who pay taxes and go to work every day in New Jersey," state Sen. Teresa Ruiz said in support of the bill.
"Many rely heavily on public transportation, but others take the risk of driving, despite not having access to drivers' licenses," Ruiz, D-Essex, said. "Offering undocumented immigrants a pathway to a legal drivers' license would reduce their chances of encountering legal troubles while trying to make a living, while also making the roads safer for all New Jerseyans."
But the measure has plenty of opposition, particularly from GOP lawmakers.
When the similar proposal was floated in May, a trio of Republicans issued a statement that condemned the idea that the state would provide licenses to people who "cannot prove lawful presence in the United States."
"Since this issue was first raised during the Corzine administration, our delegation has maintained its vehement opposition to giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens," state Sen. Christopher Connors, R-Ocean, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, R-Ocean, and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove, R-Ocean, said.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, supports giving undocumented immigrants licenses. So does state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester.
New Jersey would join a dozen other states that grant licenses to undocumented immigrants if the measure is passed and signed by the governor.
The other states with such programs are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont and Washington.
Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook.