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Struggle
For Drivers Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants
From El Diario
12 May, 2003
By Gloria Medina
Several political leaders met on May 11 in Queens to report on
a bill presented to Congress that would permit undocumented immigrants
to obtain a driver's license. This goal has become a step in completing
the American Dream.
Assembly member Felix W. Ortiz called for the community and other
leaders to support A5690 and A5691, which would allow undocumented
immigrants to apply for a drivers license with an Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Under the current law, many deserving immigrant workers are
denied the opportunity to drive legally in New York, only because
they do not have a social security number. This is an unjust and
discriminatory practice, which, in my opinion, is unacceptable,
said Ortiz.
According to Ortiz, there are 600,000 undocumented immigrants in
the state of New York, 400,000 of whom are over 16 years of age.
This population could contribute positively to the countrys
economy.
Two forms of identification to verify identity and birth date are
needed to apply for a drivers license. These can be a copy
of a passport or document proving citizenship of ones country
of origin, a birth certificate, or a consular card, among others.
Those wishing to obtain a printable version of the W-7 form can
go to www.formassistant.com/w7/shtml.
Translated from Spanish By Joshua Brustein
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