DRIVERS LICENSES = A MAJOR STEP FORWARD FOR IMMIGRANTS IN NY!
For the past 16 years, DRUM’s members, along with several different communities and grassroots organizations have fought to restore drivers licenses for immigrant New Yorkers. Today the people of our state are one step closer to victory. With the Assembly having passed the legislation on June 12th, and the Senate having passed their bill today, all that remains between us and drivers licenses for all is Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature.
Call Governor Cuomo and urge him to sign the bill NOW! (518) 474-8390.
“Passing the Green Light bill would make New York the 13th state to grant access to drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants. While we may not be the first, this is a historic moment for New York and Immigrant Rights rooted in the dignity of our people.” – Nayim Islam, Immigrant Rights Organizer with DRUM- Desis Rising Up and Moving.
The path to this moment took work from thousands of community members over the last 15 years. From community outreach, community education, phone banking, rallies, press conferences, and trips to Albany to meet with representatives, this would not have been possible without the contributions and efforts of all.
“As an undocumented worker from Jamaica Queens, my economic and social opportunities have always been limited by my means of transportation and fear of deportation. This has been part of a larger climate of fear that has been created by the Trump administration. By passing this bill, New York will be making a clear statement against this climate of fear and xenophobia. In the face of such hate federally, we must turn to the grassroots and fight for our protections locally.” – Nesar Bhuyan, Leader with DRUM- Desis Rising Up and Moving.
With Green Light NY, over 750,000 immigrant New Yorkers will have safe means of transport without fear of I.C.E. raids on buses and trains, without fear of deportation when being forced to drive without a license. All this while increasing access to economic opportunities for immigrants, generating tens of millions of dollars for New York State through taxes and fees, and lowering insurance premiums for the whole state.
In the lead up to this vote, Governor Andrew Cuomo has been less than supportive of these efforts even though he has promised to sign the bill if it should come to his desk. Now that both the Senate and Assembly have done their part, communities expect Governor Cuomo to keep his word and the bills into law.
For DRUM, this has been a long time fight. From DRUM’s co-founding of the Queens Drivers License Coalition with several other community organizations in 2004, to the fights with Governor Spitzer in 2008, to the push inside New York Assembly and Senate for the past several years. We invite media representatives to join us for a celebration with our communities this Wednesday in Jackson Heights.