New Jersey has come one step closer to allowing undocumented immigrants living here to obtain drivers licenses. Assembly bill A4743 was approved by the Assembly Judiciary Committee on December 9. The Senate bill appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 12. I urge all state Assembly and Senate members to support this bill. Allowing undocumented immigrants to drive legally makes everyone on New Jersey roads safer. It makes life easier for the estimated 338,000 immigrant residents and allows them to drive their children to school and seek employment farther than a walk from their homes. Drivers licenses for all is expected to generate $21 million in revenue in just the first three years of implementation.

There is no reasonable excuse to not support drivers licenses for all, whatever one’s view on immigration. Not allowing the undocumented doesn’t keep undocumented people off the road and puts the public safety at risk. Many undocumented folks are our neighbors and friends. They should be allowed the dignity of driving on New Jersey roads legally.

Call your representatives and let them know you want them to support drivers licenses for all.